The Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act
The Alliance for Childhood has endorsed the Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2007 (H.R.4450/S.2877). The bill, known as the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act, would lead to improved health for the growing number of survivors of childhood cancers by improving and expanding the delivery of medical and psychosocial care to survivors of childhood cancer.
Summary of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act
Alliance Activities to Date:
Alliance for Childhood Cancer and City of Hope Hold Congressional Briefing to Educate Congress on Childhood Cancer Survival
On June 9, in coordination with Representatives Hilda Solis (D-CA) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), the Alliance for Childhood Cancer and City of Hope held a Congressional briefing entitled “Childhood Cancer Survivors: Recommendations for Improving Care and Quality of Life for Survivors,” to educate Hill staff and members of the cancer community about of the key issues affecting childhood cancer patients and survivors.
The briefing was well attended by Congressional health staffers. Speakers included Alliance Co-Chair Craig Lustig, executive director of The Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy; Smita Bhatia, MD, MPH, and Director for Cancer Survivorship at City of Hope, a treatment facility for people with cancer and other life-threatening diseases; Susan Weiner, PhD, president and founder of The Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy; and Jenny Smith, a 23-year-old pediatric cancer survivor. The speakers talked about the importance of research, survivorship clinics and long-term follow-up care in improving the quality of life for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer.
Alliance for Childhood Cancer sends letters to Congress
In June, the Alliance sent letters to all Representatives and Senators encouraging them to cosponsor H.R. 4450 and S. 2877. The letter explained that the legislation is an important step forward in enhancing research and programs that will lead to improved health for the growing numbers of survivors of childhood cancers.
The Alliance also sent letters to all cosponsors of the bills thanking them for their commitment to improving the life of childhood cancer survivors.
Take Action!
The Alliance has organized a number of materials to assist in advocating for HR4450/S.2877. The materials include:
If you are interested in advocating for this legislation please contact us.
Senator Clinton Introduces Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act
On April 17, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) introduced S. 2877, the Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2007.
The House version of this bill (H.R. 4450) was introduced by Reps. Hilda Solis (D-CA) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) in December. It currently has 14 co-sponsors.
The Alliance thanks Senator Clinton for her commitment to improving the life of childhood cancer survivors.
Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act Introduced by Representatives Solis and Bono Mack
The Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2007 was introduced by Representative Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) and Representative Mary Bono (R-CA) on December 11, 2007.
The bill, known as the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act, would lead to improved health for the growing number of survivors of childhood cancers by improving and expanding the delivery of medical and psychosocial care to survivors of childhood cancer.
Specifically, the legislation would establish:
- NIH cancer survivorship programs, including grants to address health disparities in childhood cancer survivorship.
- Clinics for comprehensive long-term follow-up services for survivors of childhood cancer.
- Grants to improve access to care for survivors of childhood cancer.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cancer control programs aimed to provide guidance to states and encourage them to improve systems of care for survivors of childhood cancer.
The Alliance has endorsed this legislation and would like to thank Representative Solis and Representative Bono Mack for their commitment to improving the quality of life of childhood cancer survivors.
Alliance Press Release
Rep. Solis’ Press Release