Key Issues
Our goals at CureSearch include increased funding for research and raising awareness for childhood cancer issues in order to elevate childhood cancer to a national public policy priority.
110th Congress Comes to a Close
At the beginning of the year, CureSearch set out to achieve two legislative goals: Passage of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act and appropriations funding for pediatric cancer research. With your help, 2008 has been a successful legislative year for children with cancer. Together, we achieved both goals.
Read the full article>
President Bush Signs Conquer Childhood Cancer Act in White House Ceremony
July 29, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) – CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce that President George W. Bush has signed into law H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, at a ceremony in the Oval Office.
This legislation was named in memory of Caroline Pryce Walker, daughter of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH), who succumbed to neuroblastoma in 1999 at age nine, and will dramatically increase federal investment into childhood cancer research.
Read the full article>
CureSearch Praises Passage of Landmark Conquer Childhood Cancer Act by Unanimous Consent in the United States Senate
July 17, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) – CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation salutes the United States Senate for its passage of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which promises to significantly increase federal investment into childhood cancer research.
The bill, introduced in the Senate by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Norm Coleman (R-MN), passed without amendment by unanimous consent, echoing the 416-0 vote June 12th in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) on behalf of Senator Reed and himself asked for unanimous consent to proceed with consideration of the bill on the Senate floor.
Read the full article>
Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act
May 7, 2008: CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation joins with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to salute Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH), longtime champion of pediatric cancer research, on the renaming of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007 to the “Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008.”
This landmark legislation cleared another significant hurdle as it was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. During committee markup, the bill was renamed to honor the memory of Pryce’s daughter Caroline, who passed away in 1999 at age nine from a Neuroblastoma. The bill is now clear for consideration on the full House floor.
Read the full article>
The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act Passes Unanimously in the HELP Committee, Moving onto the Senate
On November 14, 2007, CureSearch staff and parent advocates joined forces on Capitol Hill for the mark-up of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. We are pleased to announce that the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act was considered in the HELP committee and was passed unanimously, without amendment, and after minimal discussion or debate. This brings us closer then ever to passage of this legislation.
Learn more about the Senate HELP Committee mark up>
The Childhood Cancer Act of 2007
U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 1553) Senate (S. 911)
To amend the Public Health Service Act to advance medical research and treatments into pediatric cancers, ensure patients and families have access to the current treatments and information regarding pediatric cancers, establish a population-based national childhood cancer database, and promote public awareness of pediatric cancers.
Centers of Excellence for Childhood Cancer Research: This legislation enhances and expands biomedical research programs in childhood cancer through an existing National Cancer Institute-designated multi-center national infrastructure.
Childhood Cancer Clinical Research Fellowship Program: The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act establishes a new fellowship program through the National Institutes of Health to help foster the training and development of a new generation of clinical investigators focused on pediatric cancer research.
National Childhood Cancer Research Database: It will establish a population-based childhood cancer database to evaluate the incidence trends of childhood cancers and to enable the investigations of genetic epidemiology in order to identify causes to aid in development and implementation of prevention and treatment strategies.
Outreach and Education for Pediatric Cancer Patients and Families: In addition, the legislation provides for education and information services to patients and families affected by childhood cancer to ensure they are aware of and have access to appropriate clinical treatment as well as the array of needed support services.
Authorization of Appropriations: $30 million annually for 5-fiscal year period.
Write a letter NOW!
Critical Budget Cuts Impact Childhood Cancer Research
In recent years, the amount of funding for childhood cancer research has been declining. In response to the most recent cutbacks, the National Cancer Institute has decreased funding which severely impacts childhood cancer research. As a result, the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s pre-eminent childhood cancer research organization, has been forced to put 20 new studies on hold and decrease enrollment in new clinical trials by more than 400 children next year.
Learn more about the budget cuts affecting childhood cancer research>
July 2007: Conquer Childhood Cancer Act
The more than 200 meetings between Members of Congress and the army of compassionate advocates during Reach the Day: Conquer Childhood Cancer had an immediate impact. Before the end of a long, hot Washington summer day on Capitol Hill, many Members of Congress had already made the commitment to do what they could to increase funding for childhood cancer research.
Find out more regarding the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act as of July 2007>
February 2007: Childhood Cancer Research Federal Funding Update
Forty-five CureSearch State Advocate Team Leaders made 250 visits to Congressional offices in January 2007 to seek support and co-sponsorship of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. Learn about the significant progress made through the voices of parents, survivors and healthcare providers on Capitol Hill as well as ways you can help.
Read the federal funding update>
