Bennet Urges Senate to Consider Bill to Boost Childhood Cancer Research

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee advocated to boost childhood cancer research by urging his colleagues to include the bipartisan RACE for Children Act in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reauthorization bill.

The Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) for Children Act, authored and introduced by Senators Bennet and Marco Rubio (R-FL), would support the development of innovative and promising cancer drugs for children.

"In Colorado and around the country, researchers are making dramatic advances to cure cancer, but there is even more we can do to ensure kids with cancer have a fighting chance to grow up and lead full lives," Bennet said. "This legislation could be life-saving for our kids. I want to be able to look at parents and tell them that breakthrough drugs for cancer are now available for their children. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues, in addition to parents, researchers, and other advocates, to advance this bill to expand treatment options for children."

In today's remarks, Bennet included the story of Delaney from Grand Junction, Colorado, who passed away last year, but whose family is still advocating for cures for pediatric cancer.

"[This bill] could have been life-saving for kids like Delaney from Grand Junction, who passed away a year ago when she was out of treatment options," Bennet said. "I wish she could be here with us today to advocate for this bill. Delaney once said she heard that "God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.' Well Delaney, we are still here fighting to beat this disease. We have no intention of stopping."

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