Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus Hosts its 13th Annual Summit

Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX), Jackie Speier (D-CA), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Mike Kelly (R-PA) hosted the 13th Annual Childhood Cancer Summit where they gathered with advocates, docors, and survivors to raise awareness for the pediatric cancer community. Additionally, the incoming co-chairs for the Childhood Cancer Caucus, Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Ami Bera (D-CA) attended the summit.

"It was an inspiring and emotional week on Capitol Hill as we gathered with advocates, survivors, and health care professionals to raise awareness for childhood cancer," said Rep. Michael McCaul, founder and co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus. "Each year, it is an honor to host the passionate childhood cancer community for the summit and show how Congress is working to help them in their fight. When this caucus first began, there were only two treatments for pediatric cancer. Now, there are over 20, and funding for research for children with cancer has steadily increased during that time. I am proud to be a voice for children battling this disease, and I won't stop until we've beaten cancer."

"The Childhood Cancer Summit and the Childhood Cancer Caucus are proof that Congress still works when we work together," said Rep. Jackie Speier, co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus. "Our bipartisan Childhood Cancer STAR Act, passed in 2018, has provided hundreds of millions of dollars for research and to improve survivorship. It includes my bill, the Childhood Cancer Survivors Quality of Life Act, which expands the role of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and invested $80 million in the NCI for research and $30 million in STAR Act programs for Fiscal Year 2022. I'm immensely proud of all that this caucus has achieved and continuing our life-saving work."

"We have made great strides, yet the fight against childhood cancer is far from over,"said Rep. G. K. Butterfield, co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus."During my time in Congress as a co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I have been deeply inspired by the families who have led this fight against childhood cancer, particularly the children. Sometimes, the smallest voices can make the biggest difference. Our brave patients and their families are the driving force behind our efforts here in Congress, and as I head towards the end of my time as a Member of Congress, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the inspiring women and men that I've met along the way who are dedicated to this noble fight. It was an absolute pleasure to serve as co-chair of the caucus and to join everyone for the 13th Childhood Cancer Summit."

"The main goal each year of the Childhood Cancer Caucus is to raise awareness for the most vulnerable among us," said Rep. Mike Kelly, co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus. "I believe we accomplished our goal once again. The Summit highlighted the great progress we have made, but also how there is more work we can do in Congress to help children battling these life-threatening illnesses. I am committed to working with my colleagues on the Caucus and here in Congress to provide additional funding so we can end childhood cancer."

"It was an honor to join such a passionate group of advocates at the Childhood Cancer Summit to discuss our work in Congress to fund research and treatments in the fight to eradicate childhood cancer,"said Rep. Kath Castor, incoming co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus."I am grateful to be joining my bipartisan colleagues in the 118th Congress as a co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus to continue pushing for policies that support the health and well-being of kids with cancer, their families, and the institutions and medical professionals that serve them."

"It was inspiring to join my fellow colleagues, doctors, and the pediatric cancer community for the 13th Annual Childhood Cancer Summit," said Rep. Ami Bera, incoming co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus."The Summit was an opportunity to reflect on the important advancements in pediatric cancer care and to renew our shared commitment to defeating childhood cancer. As a physician, I am excited to be joining the Childhood Cancer Caucus to pursue bipartisan policies that support treatments and cures for childhood cancers."

Since its inception, the Childhood Cancer Caucus has had four landmark pieces of legislation signed into law: the Creating Hope Act, the Race for Children Act, the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, and the Global Hope Act. Most recently, the Give Kids a Chance Actpassed the House and awaits consideration in the Senate. Additionally, Congressman McCaul introduced the Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act earlier this year along with the co-chairs of the Caucus.

In addition to co-chairsof the Caucus, speakers included incoming co-chairs Congressman Ami Bera and Congresswoman Kathy Castor, childhood cancer survivor Sadie Keller, White House Cancer Moonshot Coordinator Dr. Danielle Carnival, Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute Dr. Emily Tonorezos, and President and Co-Founder of The EVAN Foundation Gavin Lindberg.