U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Mike Kelly (R-PA) on Sept. 24 joined their fellow co-chairs of the congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus to host the 12th Annual Childhood Cancer Summit.
“Each year, we gather with members of Congress, advocates, survivors and healthcare professionals to raise awareness for childhood cancer,” Rep. McCaul said. “I am proud to be a voice for children battling this disease, letting them know they are not alone in their fight.”
In addition, Rep. McCaul and U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) on Wednesday introduced the bipartisan Give Kids a Chance Act, H.R. 5416, which would set requirements for companies developing drugs for adult cancers to test a combination of drugs for pediatric studies. “The Give Kids a Chance Act will ensure more pediatric therapeutics are explored so kids battling cancer have the best possible treatment to tackle this vicious disease,” Rep. McCaul said.
Joining Reps. McCaul and Kelly at the Childhood Cancer Summit were fellow caucus co-chairs Reps. Butterfield and Jackie Speier (D-CA), who virtually hosted the event to raise awareness for the pediatric cancer community.
“I was honored to join my fellow colleagues for the Childhood Cancer Summit to thank the tireless men and women dedicated to this noble fight,” said Rep. Kelly. “More funding is needed at every level, but I’m confident we’ll someday see a world without childhood cancer.”
In addition to the caucus members, the speakers included a pediatric cancer advocate, a CNN reporter who recently lost her son to cancer, and two oncologists.
“When this caucus first began, there were only two treatments for pediatric cancer,” Rep. McCaul pointed out. “Now, there are 22 treatments because of legislation we passed in Congress.”
Since its inception in June 2009, the Childhood Cancer Caucus has seen four landmark pieces of legislation signed into law: the Star Act, the Race for Children Act, the Creating Hope Act, and the Global Hope Act.
“No parent should ever have to hear the words, ‘Your child has cancer.’ Every day, families, child advocates, scientists, and members of Congress work in a bipartisan way to make this dream a reality,” said Rep. Kelly. “Together we can beat cancer.”
The Childhood Cancer Summit was held as part of September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which drew hundreds of childhood cancer advocates to Capitol Hill last week for numerous events, including the CureFest for Childhood Cancer rally held on the National Mall.