Children's Cause for Cancer Advocacy Supports Introduction of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act

Silver Spring, MD — On December 11, 2007, Representatives Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) and Mary Bono (R-CA) introduced the Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life Act. This bipartisan legislation, also known as the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act, would improve and expand the delivery of medical and psychosocial care to survivors of childhood cancer.

“I thank Congresswomen Solis and Bono for introducing legislation that will improve the health of so many survivors of childhood cancer,” said Craig Lustig, Executive Director of the Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy. “With so many survivors experiencing late effects of their treatment, it is crucial that resources are made available to all childhood cancer survivors, especially those in minority or underserved communities.”

The Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act reflects the recommendations of the 2003 IOM Report on Childhood Cancer Survivorship, including provisions in the legislation that would:

• Expand cancer control programs, including surveillance programs and comprehensive cancer control programs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to improve the health status of childhood cancer survivors;
• Establish grants at the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on disparities in survivorship, train health professionals in the delivery of follow-up care to childhood cancer survivors, and develop model systems of monitoring and caring for cancer survivors;
• Create grants to establish and operate childhood survivorship clinics for comprehensive long-term follow up services for childhood cancer survivors; and,
• Establish grants for childhood cancer organizations to improve physical and psychosocial care for childhood cancer survivors.

“This bill will significantly advance our understanding of the care and treatment for these survivors,” stated Susan Weiner, PhD, President of the Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy.

CCCA, along with other members of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, an organization representing more than 20 national cancer patient advocacy groups, professional medical societies and scientific organizations, recently endorsed the legislation and wishes to again thank Reps. Solis and Bono for their dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors.