Mission

The Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy (CCCA) is the leading national advocacy organization working to achieve access to less toxic and more effective pediatric cancer therapies; to expand resources for research and specialized care; and to address the unique needs and challenges of childhood cancer survivors and their families.  CCCA leads efforts to ensure that these needs and perspectives of children with cancer are integrated into the highest deliberations on health care and cancer policy at the Federal level.

Each year, nearly 13,000 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer - that's more than one classroom of children each day.  While the survival rates for some childhood cancers have improved significantly, there are still several cancers for which mortality remains high. And, despite our progress, cancer remains the number one cause of death by disease in our children.

The 300,000 survivors among us live with the threat of serious late effects and premature death due to their disease and the toxic treatments they endured. Many are unaware and unprepared to face the challenges likely to result from their disease - physical, psychological, social - and ultimately their quality of life suffers.

New Therapies

New, targeted therapies for childhood cancers are needed to increase survival rates for cancers that continue to kill children and reduce survivors’ late effects. Developing new therapies for children is not profitable for companies. It is biologically complex and takes many years to complete because of small patient populations. CCCA trains and represents families and survivors to work with academic researchers, government officials and pharmaceutical industry leaders to coordinate resources and work more efficiently toward the development of safer, more effective treatments.

Survivorship

Two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors suffer from at least one treatment or disease-related late effect. Second cancers, heart and lung damage, osteoporosis, lack of health insurance, financial pressures, school re-integration, employment and fertility problems are among the many challenges childhood cancer survivors face.  CCCA empowers survivors and families through educational conferences, materials, and tools to become effective advocates and improve their quality of life.