Childhood Cancer Summit Coming to Capitol Hill This Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2011

Washington, DC – Today Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced that the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus will host the Second Annual Childhood Cancer Summit on Capitol Hill on September 23, 2011. The focus of this year’s panel will be “The Future of Childhood Cancer Drug Development.” The Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy (CCCA) is honored to be working with advocates and Congressional champions to help educate lawmakers and the public about these critical issues.

The Summit, which is targeted toward Members of Congress, Hill staff, and advocates, is an educational forum to bring awareness to the unique issues facing children with cancer, survivors and their families. This year’s Summit panelists include: Dr. Peter Adamson, Chair of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG); Dr. Ron Portman, Development Lead, Pediatric Center of Excellence, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Chair of BIO’s Pediatric Drug Development Committee; Dr. Eugenie Kleinerman, Head of the Division of Pediatrics at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; and Nancy Goodman, Executive Director of Kids V Cancer.

“The Childhood Cancer Summit provides a unique opportunity for Members of Congress and their staff to engage with advocates and experts in the pediatric oncology field to better understand the challenges of developing new, less toxic therapies for children with cancer,” said Maureen Lilly, Executive Director of CCCA. “Children’s Cause is deeply appreciative of Representatives McCaul and Van Hollen’s efforts to bring the national spotlight to these critical issues.”

The specific topics expected to be covered at the Summit include: Reauthorization of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) and Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA); the pharmaceutical industry’s perspective on the process and challenges of developing new drugs for children with cancer; the effects of adult drugs on children participating in clinical trials; and incentives for pediatric cancer drug development. Additional information can be found on the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus website at http://childhoodcancer-mccaul.house.gov/event/Second-Annual-Childhood-Cancer-Summit.

On the evening before the Summit, CCCA, along with other childhood cancer organizations, will host a reception on Capitol Hill where attendees will hear from speakers on legislative initiatives to improve the lives of children with cancer and survivors.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and events will be taking place throughout the childhood cancer community and across the nation. The Summit is part of a series of events taking place this year in Washington, DC as part of a coordinated effort by several supporting organizations. For information on some of the other DC activities, visit the website of People Against Childhood Cancer (PAC2) at http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com/page/childhood-cancer-week-dc-2011.

CCCA is a leading national advocacy organization that works to achieve access to less toxic and more effective therapies, expand resources for treatment, and address the needs and challenges of childhood cancer survivors and their families. CCCA works to ensure that these needs and perspectives are integrated into the highest deliberations of cancer policy.