Update from our colleagues at the Alliance for Childhood Cancer (July 28, 2023): The Senate Appropriations Committee has released its Fiscal Year 2024 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill, and we are excited to report that it included language to fully fund the Childhood Cancer STAR Act and the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative again this year. If you are interested in the details you can find the report language that specifies our Labor-HHS funding priorities is available here. We still have more work to do heading into the fall to make sure our priorities remain in next year’s budget, but the inclusion of STAR and […]
Read moreIn March last year, the CCDI Molecular Characterization Initiative (MCI) launched. Since then, it has opened enrollment to children, adolescents, and young adults newly diagnosed with central nervous system tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, and rare tumors—with plans to expand. Results have been returned to more than 750 participants. Data released from the initiative are searchable through the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes and Seven Bridges’ Cancer Genomics Cloud. See Where Can These Data Be Accessed? on the MCI web page for more information about access. Enrollment continues and participation is free. Potential participants must also be receiving care from a […]
Read moreThe Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) is recruiting an Executive Director to join a dynamic, collaborative network of nonprofit organizations, industry partners, and individuals from 39 states and nine countries, supporting and serving the childhood cancer community. The Executive Director reports to the Chair and the CAC2 Board of Directors to oversee the day-to-day operations of CAC2, while working collaboratively with CAC2 member volunteers. The Executive Director will supervise the operations and communications staff, engage with members and external stakeholders, and work in partnership with the Board to evolve the CAC2’s strategic vision to fulfill its mission and objectives. The mission of CAC2 is to effectively […]
Read moreBy Guest Blogger Sarah Milberg, Co-Chair of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer and Director of Government Relations and Advocacy for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Thanks to advocates like you, we have been able to make great progress on important childhood cancer issues before Congress. The Alliance for Childhood Cancer is excited to announce that Action Days 2023 will return back to Washington, D.C. from April 24-25, 2023. Registration will open in early 2023. Action Days gives you an opportunity to speak with your members of Congress and their staff to advocate for important childhood cancer issues before Congress. Sharing your story next […]
Read moreSurvivorship Matters Blog By CAC2 Individual Member Mary Beth Collins “Your child has to be alive to experience side effects” It is heard by every parent of a child with a high-risk pediatric cancer when reviewing treatment protocol: your child must endure and survive all of the therapies first, before a parent can afford to be concerned about side effects. It’s a pragmatic priority; the focus is on keeping your child alive and achieving No Evidence of Disease, or ”NED” as commonly referenced. With the most challenging cancers, it is spoken with earnest and delicate honesty. Today, according to the […]
Read moreBy CAC2 Individual Member Joe Baber Because of my grandson, Conor, a neuroblastoma survivor, I have met so many people in our childhood cancer community who want to improve the outcomes of children fighting cancer. We either have children in treatment for cancer or have children who are survivors or have died because of it. We’re all thankful when there are lifesaving therapies and at the very same time, we are fearful of relapse, side effects of the drugs, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and even death. These contrary and parallel emotions seem to be linked in partnership throughout the childhood cancer […]
Read more