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Advocacy:
Policy Analysis: Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act
Conquer Childhood Cancer Act
President Bush Signs "Conquer Childhood Cancer Act"
in White House Ceremony Children with Cancer and Their Families to Benefit
July 29, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) - Rock Against Cancer is thrilled to announce that President Bush has signed H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, into law at a ceremony in the Oval Office.
This legislation, named in memory of Caroline Pryce Walker, daughter of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH), who succumbed to neuroblastoma in 1999 at age nine, will dramatically increase the federal investment in childhood cancer research.
The bill passed the United States House of Representatives on June 12th by a 416-0 vote and in the Senate by unanimous consent on July 16th.
The original co-sponsors for this landmark, bipartisan legislation include Congresswoman Pryce, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Norm Coleman (R-MN).
The bill authorizes $30 million annually over five years to providing funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research, to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and to further improve public awareness and communication regarding available treatment and research for children with cancer and their families.
"The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act allows for translation of the very best research discoveries into clinical evaluation and practice, in order to improve the cure rates for all children with cancer," stated Gregory Reaman, MD, Chair of the Children's Oncology Group.
"On behalf of my colleagues in the Children's Oncology Group and the children with cancer and their families who are our partners in clinical research, we thank President Bush and our nation's leaders. Only research cures childhood cancer."
CureSearch exclusively supports the life-saving research of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's premier pediatric cancer research collaborative. Treating 90% of children with cancer, the Children's Oncology Group includes more than 5,000 experts in childhood cancer research and treatment, located at more than 200 leading children's and university hospitals across North America.
At the signing, Congresswoman Pryce stated "for any child or family who is embroiled in the fight against pediatric cancer, today is a cause for celebration and renewed hope. At long last, we will be harnessing our nation's vast resources and expertise to put an end to a scourge that takes the lives of more than 2,300 children every year."
"We are grateful to the President and to the United States Congress for their leadership in making the cure for childhood cancer an urgent national priority," stated Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director of CureSearch. "Passage of this historic bill gives attention and support that is long overdue and much needed."
Light up the Holidays with Hope:
RAC participates in the annual “Light up the Holidays with Hope” Tree Lighting Event, hosted by Candlelighters, in Washington, D.C. This event honors all children touched by cancer. For a small donation to Candelighters, families can place a personalized gold ribbon on the 80-foot tall holiday tree to honor or remember their children. The tree stands proud in the rotunda of the Old Post Office Building for the month of December. For more information, or to purchase a ribbon, please visit www.candlelighters.org.
NC CureSearch License Plate:
This plate is issuable to residents of North Carolina who are the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase “CureSearch” with a logo designed by the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. For each NC CureSearch plate ordered, $10 will be donated to CureSearch.
Gold Ribbon Campaign:
The gold ribbon is the official awareness ribbon of children with cancer worldwide. The symbol is supported, recognized and promoted by hundreds of organizations, treatment centers, and healthcare workers, including:
- The National Childhood Cancer Foundation
- Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses
- Children's Oncology Camp Association
- The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
For more information visit www.goldribbons.com.