H.R. 2109 "Dear Colleague" Letter

Support Childhood Cancer Survivors!!!

Dear Colleague,

Today, Rep. Bono Mack and I plan to introduce the bipartisan Childhood Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2009. We hope that you will support this important bill by becoming an original co-sponsor.

Improvements and advances in the treatment of childhood cancer mean that more than 300,000 children are now living as cancer survivors. In fact, the 5-year cancer survivor rate for children has improved from just 56% in 1974 to almost 80% today. For many of these children, however, the fight does not end with remission. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), more than two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors experience 'late effects' of the disease or its treatment as they grow older. The most common late effects include long-term complications, disabilities, or other adverse outcomes, and up to one-fourth are serious or life-threatening.

For many cancer survivors and their families, geographic distance from cancer centers is a barrier to receiving appropriate specialized care. This bill adopts may of the IOM recommendations for improving follow-up care for cancer survivors. It also expands cancer control programs, including surveillance and comprehensive control programs within the CDC that will support state's efforts in this area. In addition, it establishes grants at the National Institutes of Health so that research can be conducted on disparities in survivorship and the development of systems to monitor and care for cancer survivors. Of particular importance, it creates grants to establish and operate childhood cancer clinics to that comprehensive long-term follow up services are available for a larger number of childhood cancer survivors.

While we are making progress towards the elimination and more effective treatment of children's cancer, we must focus greater resources towards effectively addressing the long-term effects of these conditions. This bill would help ensure that those who have bravely struggled and conquered cancer as children have access to the resources and infrastructure they need as the longer term consequences of their illness surface, sometimes years down the road. Furthermore, it is supported the by following organizations:

American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Pediatric Surgical Association, American Psychological Association, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses, Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, Chai Lifeline, Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Children’s Oncology Group, City of Hope, CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, Lance Armstrong Foundation, National Children’s Cancer Society, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Patient Advocate Foundation, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Prevent Cancer Foundation/Hope Street Kids, Sarcoma Foundation of America, Society of Pediatric Psychology, The Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy 

Sincerely

JACKIE SPEIER                                                                                                  MARY BONO MACK

Member of Congress                                                                                            Member of Congress