“Cancer is a global health issue. By 2020, there will be 16 million new cases of of cancer worldwide. It must be noted that the incidence rate of cancer in children is on the rise. One in every 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday. The majority of cancer patients, especially children, are treated with toxic therapies that include chemotherapy and radiation. These types of toxic treatments can result in secondary cancers. In fact, 19% of people diagnosed with cancer, had cancer before. Clearly, there needs to be more research done into the causes of secondary cancers, as well as research to develop less toxic drugs to increase cures and reduce the incidence of secondary cancers.” – Caleb Hoffman (Brother of Childhood Cancer Survivor)
The American Childhood Cancer Organization is a proud member of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, and with the help of the childhood cancer community, came together with the co-chairs of the Childhood Cancer Caucus to create the STAR Act (Survivorship, Treatment, Access & Research).
The Bill can be found by clicking these links: House Bill & Senate Bill.
To help with this initiative and to maintain the momentum, ACCO is asking:
- That our families get behind this bill by asking their congressional representatives to sign on to the bill. Then please email us to let us know that you contacted your representatives in the House and Senate so that we can follow up with those offices. Click here to learn more…
- For you to please support our ongoing work to raise awareness and to advocate on behalf of families of children with cancer across the U.S. by making a donation by clicking here or the button below.
- Be sure to join the more than 80,000 followers on our Facebook Page to get involved in the conversation and stay connected.
ACCO wants to thank Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) as well as Congressman Mike McCaul (R-TX) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for their sponsorship of this important legislation.
Also, early this morning, the House and Senate announced the details of the fiscal year 2016 omnibus appropriations legislation.
The National Institutes of Health will receive $32.084 billion, an increase of approximately $2 billion (6.6%). The agreement also includes $200,000,000 for the new Precision Medicine Initiative. The National Cancer Institute will receive $5,214,701,000, an increase of approximately $264.3 million (5.34%).
These increases are the largest in recent memory, and we are extremely grateful for the hope that these increased funding levels bring.
For more information about the American Childhood Cancer Organization and how we can help, call 855.858.2226 or visit:
