CAC2 Childhood Cancer Community News Digest (April 14-20)

April 21, 2025 Community News, Guest Blogs, News Digest

Assorted News from the Last Week:

CAC2 Individual Member Robert Dilley blogging about why sustained research funding is essential to progress.

AACR issues calls to action to advocacy colleagues and supporters of NIH funding.

NCI Annual Report to the Nation:  “Cancer death rates in children declined steadily over the study period; those for adolescents and young adults also declined until recently, when the decline slowed and stabilized.”

A new study suggests that early-life exposure to two widespread environmental pollutants — small particle air pollution and outdoor artificial light at night — could increase the risk of pediatric thyroid cancer.

CT scans may account for 5% of all cancers annually, according to a new study that cautions against overusing and overdosing CTs. The danger is greatest for infants, followed by children and adolescents.

Blog post by CAC2 Member Pat Lacey about the invisible, lead-weighted blanket of depression that comes for some with childhood cancer.

World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates Ghana’s enrollment on the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines.

Communication preferences concerning prognosis among children with cancer, parents, and oncologists.

A separate study reveals a strong preference among pediatric oncology patients and their caregivers for immediate access to test results, challenging traditional concerns about the psychological impact of early release.

Pediatric medical tourism: International patients seeking treatment in the United States for malignancy and serious hematologic disorders. A Review of the St Jude Experience.

‘Children with cancer cannot wait’: the human cost of clinical trial delays after Brexit.

 

Upcoming Webinars, Online Opportunities, and Meetings:

Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair and Vice Chair of the Seante Appropriations Committee, respectively, announced a full committee (and bipartisan) hearing series on Wednesday, April 30 at 10:30 AM ET in 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building titled “Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation.” The first hearing in the two-part series will feature researchers and stakeholder groups to discuss the importance of U.S. biomedical research (including at the NIH, DOD, VA, as well as involving the FDA) for the nation’s health and economy.

CAC2 will host a free public “pop-up” webinar on April 30, 2025 featuring Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell, immediate past Director of the National Cancer Institute speaking on “Patient Advocacy, Non-Profit Foundations, and the Changing Landscape of Pediatric Cancer Funding.” Click here to register.

10th Annual Mark Hill Memorial Golf Outing on June 6th at White Hawk Country Club benefitting Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation on June 6 in Crown Point, IN.  Click here for more information and to register.

The Coalition Against Childhood Cancer will hold its 2025 Annual Summit, hosted by Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC and presented by Day One Biopharmaceuticals. This annual event reflects the CAC2 values and mission by providing top-notch educational programming, designing multiple opportunities for members to connect and engage, and showcasing the ongoing efforts of our members who are working for a future without childhood cancers.  June 15-17.  Register here: CAC2 Annual Summit Registration

Cheerful Hearts hosts online game time for children ages 6 through 14 years old every Sunday at 4:00 pm-4:30 EST. Click here for more information and to register.

Past Recordings:

CAC2’s April webinar, “The Role of AI from Diagnosis to Treatment for Childhood Cancer”

Video of highlights from the March 26, 2025 Congressional Forum that Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont) convened to spotlight how ongoing interference at the NIH—from canceled grants and leadership upheaval to massive staffing cuts—is already derailing research and putting patients’ lives at risk.

No Finish Line: Running 140 Miles for Childhood Cancer — a film that captures the absolutely grueling Folsom Lake 140: a 140-mile trail run with 18,900 feet of climbing, nearly 46 hours on foot, and zero sleep… all to honor 106 incredible kids (34 fighters, 29 survivors, and 43 forever).

Take Action:

The following members of the Energy and Commerce Committee have announced town halls during the upcoming recess, which is last week and this week. Please attend a town hall and ask for the Representative’s support for the Give Kids a Chance Act
  • Rep Kathy Castor in St Petersburg and Tampa, FL
  • Rep Debbie Dingell in Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Rep. Nannette Diaz-Barragan in LA/Compton
  • Rep. Jennifer McClellan in Richmond, VA
  • Rep. Lizzie Fletcher in Houston, TX

The 2025 Evan Lindberg & Erik Ludwinski College Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors who are survivors of a high-risk cancer or in treatment for a high-risk malignancy.  Students must be accepted into a 4-year undergraduate institution and demonstrate a need for financial assistance.  For information and to apply.

CAC2 Innovation Council Recommendation: Social Genomic Mechanisms of Health Disparities among Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Survivors of Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

 

The Requester: Study team led by Dr. Brad Zebrack, University of Michigan, School of Social Work

Overview of the Opportunity:  The study seeks to understand more about how the world that teen and young adult lymphoma survivors live in affects the outcomes of their cancer treatment.

The Type of Request: Information sharing about an adolescent and young adult survivor study of health disparities.

The Ask:  Inform CAC2 Members about the study called Social Genomic Mechanisms of Health Disparities among Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Survivors of Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma that is currently recruiting 18 – 39 year olds who have completed treatment for Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and are within 3 years since the end of treatment. Distribute the informational flyer within members’ networks.

Supporting Documentation:

The study has two primary goals:

  • Help develop approaches that improve the mental and physical quality of life for patients and survivors
  • Help create more effective treatment and better survivorship care for young adult cancer patients

Informational Flyer for distribution: http://www.cac2.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Adolescent_Young_Adult_Survivor_Study.pdf

Website: https://aftercancergenomics.org

3-minute video explaining the study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=xDlnWKvtkuU&feature=youtu.be

 

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