McCaul: Fund Research for Childhood Cancer

Op-Ed

McCaul: Fund research for childhood cancer

by Congressman Michael McCaul, TX-R, on June 16th, 2008
in Austin American-Statesman

For all of the pain, all of the tears and all of the suffering, the victims of childhood cancer, their supporters and survivors can each mark at least one victory in the win column. On Thursday, after years of hard work and spurred on by personal tragedies, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008.

Though it must still pass the Senate, the measure will draw attention and set aside funding to research and eradicate the disease that is the No. 1 killer of our children. It will also establish a database to evaluate trends and provide outreach to make sure families are aware of available treatment.

We as a country must act with a greater sense of urgency. Though modern medicine has made strides, a child is still more likely to die from cancer than from drowning, fire, poisoning and accidental firearm deaths combined.

There's nothing more painful than to look into the eyes of a child who is dying from this disease, whose parents look at you as a member of Congress and say, "Isn't there something you can do?" The answer is we can do something: Fund research for treatment. Every now and then, we have one of those moments, moments we feel like we can truly make a difference. This is one of those moments.

The measure is named for Caroline Pryce Walker. She was 9 years old in 1999 when she lost her valiant battle with cancer. She was also the daughter of my friend and colleague, U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce of Ohio, who, like many who have lost a loved one, decided to do everything in her power to kill the cancer beast. The world knows that cancer does not discriminate. And it will take a world of research including the best and brightest in our government-funded laboratories to one day proclaim victory in a long, costly war. For now, we've claimed victory in one battle along the way.

The Caroline Pryce Walker Act is a significant step toward securing research funding at the national level. But it will not happen without further support to ensure that it passes the U.S. Senate. Contact your senators and ask them to vote in favor of H.R. 1553 to continue the fight against childhood cancer.

It is said that a measure of a person's life is what they did to leave this world a better place. As the proud father of five children, I believe it is incumbent upon each of us, especially those of us elected to serve, to do our part to rid this world of a disease that does not discriminate, for the sake of my children, yours and, eventually, theirs.

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