March 2017: HIGH ALERT for Cancer Research Funding

HIGH ALERT: Cancer Research Funding at Risk

White House Asks Congress to Slash NIH Funding for Remainder of FY2017 and Beyond

FY2017: A new White House proposal calls for $1.2 billion in cuts from the current fiscal year budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Mid-year cuts on this scale would have a devastating and immediate effect on research grants across the nation with the potential to impact all disease areas, including childhood cancer. 

Current government spending will expire at the end of April, when Congress must pass a new spending bill for the reminder of the fiscal year (ending September 30, 2017). We're asking all advocates to contact their Members of Congress immediately and ask them to stand with us in defense of childhood cancer research at this critical moment.

FY2018: This alarming news follows the White House release of a budget blueprint (PDF) earlier this month that proposes steep cuts to research agencies, eliminating $6 billion (20 percent) of the NIH budget. The National Cancer Institute's share of those cuts - an estimated $1 billion - would severely impact already-underfunded childhood cancer research.

It's important to emphasize that Congress - not the Executive Branch - controls the federal budget. But the President's blueprint traditionally presents the starting point for budget deliberations on Capitol Hill.

Cancer research has always had bipartisan support, and we are optimistic that we will be able to soften the blow of these cuts through the appropriations process -- but we will need all-hands-on-deck! Progress in childhood cancer research is almost entirely dependent on federal funding. Please speak up with us to advance new treatments and find cures. Take action here.

Register for Childhood Cancer Action Days: May 1-2

You're invited to join the Alliance for Childhood Cancer in Washington on May 1st and 2nd for this year's Childhood Cancer Action Days. A strong showing of advocates at Action Days 2017 is more crucial than ever. We will be at a critical point in the legislative process on several key issues for children with cancer. Sharing your story in Washington this spring will ensure the voice of children with cancer is heard loud and clear!

The 6th Annual Action Days event will consist of a full day of issues and advocacy training, followed by a day of pre-arranged meetings with Members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill. Learn more.

The deadline to apply for a scholarship to off-set your travel expenses and/or the $50 family registration fee is today, March 31st. The deadline to secure a room at the Renaissance Hotel in the Alliance room block is April 2nd. 

Register now.

CCCA's Founder to Receive ASCO Award

Partners in Progress Recipient: Susan L. Weiner, PhD

We offer congratulations to our founder Susan L. Weiner, PhD, for her recognition by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) as the recipient of this year's Partners in Progress Award.

The Partners in Progress Award recognizes a person involved in patient advocacy activities that impact public awareness about cancer and supports legislative efforts around research, treatment, prevention or care. Dr. Weiner will be presented with the award at the June 2-6ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Learn more about Susan here, and see the full list of ASCO Awardeeshere.

STAR Act Supported by 130+ Members of Congress!

The bipartisan STAR Act is life-saving legislation designed to advance pediatric cancer research and child-focused cancer treatments, while also improving childhood cancer surveillance and providing enhanced resources for survivors.

Members of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, including our CEO George Dahlman, held a "mini lobby day" earlier this month on Capitol Hill, a prelude to the larger Action Day taking place May 1-2. To date, this bill has 131 sponsors and cosponsors in the House and 6 in the Senate.

We must continue to build momentum for this bill's passage, and you can help get us there:

1. Check the cosponsor map to see if your Senators and Representative have signed on.

2. Use our Write Congress form to quickly and easily send a letter to your Members of Congress to thank them for their support or ask them to add their name. We are hoping to quickly gain as many cosponsors as possible to get momentum for this bill's passage.

3. Share this ask with your friends and neighbors. 

Quick Links: Highlights from March

CCCA Formally Endorses Psychosocial Standards of Care: Children's Cause has given our endorsement to the evidence-based psychosocial standards that define a minimum level of care that all children with cancer and their families should receive. We thank the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation for spearheading these groundbreaking standards.

Eighty-Seven Organizations Call on Congress to Protect Medicaid: Children's Cause joined with leading patient advocacy organizations to denounce the American Health Care Act and its threat to Medicaid. Although the AHCA effort was defeated, there is much more work to be done to ensure the protection and stability of Medicaid for the one-third of childhood patients who depend on it for their care.

College Scholarships for Survivors: Bristol-Myers Squibb is giving away fifty (50!) scholarships of $10,000 each to childhood cancer or young adult survivors who plan to attend college or vocational school in the fall. The application deadline is today, March31!

In the News: 

Jessica Kean