WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee today gave its stamp of approval to Jack Reed's (D-RI) Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007. This legislation authorizes $150 million over five years to expand childhood cancer research, create a national childhood cancer registry to track pediatric cancer, and increase services to patients and families affected by the disease.

"I am pleased that the HELP Committee approved this critical legislation. While we have made great steps in treating cancer, there is still much more to be done. The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act will deliver much needed hope and support to children and families battling cancer and more resources for vital pediatric cancer research programs," said Reed, a senior member of the HELP Committee.

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children. There are about 9,500 new cases of pediatric cancer each year, and the incidence of cancer in children is increasing. The causes of childhood cancer are largely unknown.

Just a few weeks ago, the Director of the National Cancer Institute said that a barrier to fighting cancer is finding the resources to invest adequately in research. Declining funding for pediatric cancer clinical trials has stopped promising clinical trials. At a recent NCI meeting, pediatric cancer researchers were told to expect another 5 percent cut in funding this year.

Reed's bipartisan bill has 44 cosponsors - 30 Democrats, 12 Republicans, and 2 Independents, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The bill has also been endorsed by the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, a coalition of more than 20 national cancer patient advocacy organizations, professional medical societies, and scientific organizations - including the American Cancer Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Senator Reed's legislation would authorize $30 million a year through 2012 to:

  • Fund critical biomedical research programs aimed at preventing and curing childhood cancer and improving the lives of children with pediatric cancer;
  • Establish the Children's Cancer Research Network, a population-based national childhood cancer registry, to track pediatric cancer and enroll patients in research studies;
  • Support a fellowship program in clinical and translational research to foster the career development of pediatric oncologists; and
  • Provide informational and educational services to patients and families affected by childhood cancer to help ensure access to the best available therapies for pediatric cancers.