Reed Seeks to Rally Support for Childhood Cancer Research

Press Release

In an effort to help thousands of children who undergo cancer treatment each year, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is getting set to introduce the Childhood Cancer STAR Act. This legislation will advance pediatric cancer research and child-focused cancer treatments, while also improving childhood cancer surveillance and providing resources for survivors and those impacted by childhood cancer.

This week, Reed will join with more than 300 cancer advocates from across the country, including children cancer survivors and their families, policy makers, and cancer research experts, for the Alliance for Childhood Cancer's fourth annual Childhood Cancer Action Days on June 15 and 16 in Washington, DC. During that time, individuals and families visiting Capitol Hill will meet with their elected representatives and ask them to support initiatives like the Childhood Cancer STAR Act that can improve research, treatment, and outcomes for children with cancer.

Meanwhile, advocates nationwide are expected to join the conversation online by calling on Congress to #StepUp for more funding. Reed is asking Rhode Islanders to join him on social media using the hashtags #StepUp and #childhoodcancer to let others know they support making childhood cancer research a national priority.

"Too many young people's lives have been cut short by cancer. These kids and their families who've battled this disease inspire us to take action. I hope Rhode Islanders will join us on social media and encourage Congress to #StepUp and fund needed research into finding cures and developing better treatments for pediatric cancers," said Reed. "The Childhood Cancer STAR Act will help young cancer patients and their families get access to potentially life-saving treatments, support survivors, and move us another step closer toward our goal of ending pediatric cancer."

Childhood cancer research has progressed in recent years, but cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children in the United States, according to NIH's National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI estimates that nationwide, 15,780 children and adolescents up to 19 years of age were diagnosed with cancer within the last year and 1,960 will die of the disease.

The Childhood Cancer STAR Act builds on Senator Reed's Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which was signed into law in 2008 to help increase support for pediatric cancer research and ensure that more children have access to lifesaving cancer treatment.

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