Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

President Signs Landmark Legislation to Increase Federal Investment in Childhood Cancer Research and Awareness

The President signed into law H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, legislation authored by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (OH-15) to dramatically increase federal investment in childhood cancer research and awareness.

Washington, DC, July 31, 2008 — Washington, DC - Today, the President signed into law H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, legislation authored by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (OH-15) to dramatically increase federal investment in childhood cancer research and awareness. The bill, an historic step in the fight to eradicate pediatric cancer authorizes $30 million annually over five years to hasten advancements in pediatric cancer research. It creates a national database on childhood cancers to help researchers detect trends in the disease, and provides educational and informational services to patients and families to ensure they have access to appropriate clinical treatment and the array of vital support services.

"This is an incredible day for the thousands of children and families who are fighting for their lives against these dread diseases," said Pryce. "We may very well look back at this day as the decisive turning point in a war that has caused incalculable pain, suffering and death among our children. Today, brave children around the planet have been provided tremendous hope - a commitment from their government that they will not fight this battle alone."

The scourge of pediatric cancer in our society is overwhelming. Each day 2 classrooms of children in America are diagnosed with cancer, and we lose over 2,000 kids each year to the disease. Of death by disease, cancer is the #1 killer of children under the age of 15. "This bill brings great hope and is truly a catalyst to a cure," adds Co-Founder of Hope Street Kids Randy Walker. "Hope Street Kids along with thousands of families and supporters nationwide leading the fight for their children can stand proud today of their accomplishment. We are especially grateful to Senators Harry Reid D-NV, Norm Coleman R-MN; Congresswoman Deborah Pryce R-OH; and Congressman Chris Van Hollen D-MD; and to the US Congress for all of their hard work to pass this bill. The passage of the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act will have a positive impact on children, now and in future generations. With each step, we are moving toward our ultimate goal of a generation free of cancer."

Hope Street Kids (HSK) is a pediatric cancer initiative of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, founded by Congresswoman Pryce and Walker, in memory of their daughter, Caroline Pryce Walker, who lost a valiant battle against neuroblastoma. Since 1999, HSK has raised over $9 million, which enabled funding of 90 research projects at leading institutions across the country, including The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Rainbow Babies Children's Hospital in Cleveland. It was Caroline Pryce Walker's parents that helped shape the mission of the organization and continue to support it today. The organization is committed to the elimination of childhood cancer through pioneering research, advocacy and education.

For more information about Hope Street Kids, visit: hopestreetkids.org

Congresswoman Pryce, Co-Founder of Hope Street Kids was joined today at the signing ceremony by two central Ohio pediatric cancer patients, Eden Adams and Hannah Lewis, both of whom are patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.

*For more information about the bill and a narrative of Congresswoman Pryce's history and leadership this and other cancer related issues, click here.

*Any media wishing to speak to the children or their families should call the Nationwide Children's Hospital Press Office at 614-355-0495.

About the Children:
Eden Adams - age 8 (Father Rourke Adams, brother Duncan Adams). Eden suffers from Neuroblastoma. She is undergoing chemotherapy and may soon undergo spot radiation. Previously, Eden had stem cell transfusions, BMT (bone marrow transplant), surgeries, and radiation. She has lost her hearing because of prior chemotherapy, and must get transfused platelets (she is now platelet dependent).

Hannah Lewis - age 7 - (Mother Jessica Lewis, brother Riley Adams). Hannah suffers from Rhabdomyosarcoma, and over the next year, she will be scanned every three months for treatment. Hannah has undergone both chemotherapy and radiation, but is currently in remission.



-----

Contacts
Cynthia Duncan, Executive Director
Office: 703.519.2107
Fax: 703.836.4413
E-mail: cynthia.duncan@preventcancer.org



« Back to Press Releases Index