July 29, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) – CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce that President George W. Bush has signed into law H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, at a ceremony in the Oval Office.
This legislation was named in memory of Caroline Pryce Walker, daughter of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH), who succumbed to neuroblastoma in 1999 at age nine, and will dramatically increase federal investment into 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 bill authorizes $30 million annually over five years, 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.
To read the whole article visit CureSearch in the News.
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day
Washington, D.C.— September 13, 2008 will now be recognized as
"National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day" as a result of a Senate
resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) and
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).
"Never before in history has the dream of eliminating childhood cancer
been so attainable, yet seemed so elusive," said Senator Allard. "We
live in a nation where the effectiveness of treatments and technology
offer hope to children who dream of a bright future. Each case of
childhood cancer is a very personal tragedy that can strike any family
with children, at anytime, anywhere. In setting aside September 13th
to recognize this battle on cancer, we continue of our efforts to draw
attention to the victims of childhood cancer and the great work of the
families and organizations who continue the fight."
"We have made tremendous strides in the fight against childhood
cancer, but far too many children still suffer and lose their lives to
this illness. The more we know as a nation the better able we will be
to prevent and treat the disease and help those who are battling and
surviving pediatric cancers. National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day
is an opportunity to reach out to all Americans with the facts about
childhood cancer, and this day will be an important symbol of our
commitment on all days to find a cure," said Senator Clinton.
Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer and the second
overall leading cause of death of children in the United States. More
than 10,000 children under the age of 15 in the United States are
diagnosed with cancer annually.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton - Statement & Releases
National Brain Tumor Awareness Month in May
Washington, D.C.—The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved H. Res. 1124, a resolution introduced by U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Peter Roskam (R-IL) to establish National Brain Tumor Awareness Month in May. The resolution was inspired by Linda Magiera, the mother of the late Lori Arquilla Andersen, who died of brain cancer at the young age of 35 years. Shortly before the House voted on the resolution, Senator Edward Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“The need for this resolution could not be clearer. Senator Kennedy is one of the more than 190,000 Americans who is diagnosed each year with abrain tumor. Our resolution, by helping to increase awareness, will improve early detection and support for additional research into brain tumors,” said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). “I’m proud to have worked with Congressman Roskam to pass this bipartisan resolution that will help save lives by raising awareness of brain tumors. Our resolution will help educate millions of people about brain tumors, and by increasing awareness, will help improve early detection and support additional research into this horrible disease. It’s my hope that ultimately, we will find a cure for all types of brain tumors.”
“I was pleased to join my Illinois Colleague Congresswoman Schakowsky in this important effort to bring attention and renewed commitment to the fight against brain tumors,” said Congressman Roskam. “The work Linda Magiera and others are doing to turn tragedy into a blessing for others facing this difficult disease is an inspiration to us all.”
Representatives Schakowsky and Roskam introduced the resolution after Des Plaines native Linda Magiera contacted them to share her daughter’s struggle with brain cancer. After her daughter’s passing, Linda Magiera founded the Lori Arquilla Andersen Foundation (LAAF) in her honor to raise awareness about brain cancer. Lori was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer just three months after her wedding and passed away from the disease 22 months later. Lori’s mother and sister came to Capitol Hill in April to participate in a Congressional briefing about brain tumors hosted by Representatives Schakowsky and Roskam.
Each year, more than 190,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with brain tumors, representing the third leading cause of cancer-related death among those aged 20-39. However, because brain tumors are less prevalent than lung, breast or prostate cancer, this horrible disease often does not get the attention and research funding it deserves. Brain tumors can have a devastating impact on the lives of patients and their families because it can change an individual’s personality, their ability to communicate, and their ability to walk or see. Unfortunately, with over 126 different kinds of primary brain tumors, the development of effective treatments is uncommonly complicated. The five-year relative survival rate following diagnosis of a primary malignant brain tumor is about 30 percent. However, the average survival rate for patients diagnosed with aggressive brain tumors is less than 5 percent and most survive for only 6-12 months.
To learn more about the Foundation visit:
About Us Events Sponsors Board Link
