Currently browsing: Blog Posts

Reflections from International Cancer Week 2024: A Renewed Commitment to the Fight Against Cancer

November 18, 2024
Blog Posts, Member Blogs No comments yet

By CAC2 Student Member Joshua Omale Attending the 2024 International Cancer Week, organized by Nigeria’s National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), was indeed a great a experience – one that I won’t forget soon. Under the theme “Accelerating Nigeria’s Path to Comprehensive Cancer Control: Innovation, Access, and Partnership,” the event brought together voices from all corners of cancer care, all driven by a shared mission to tackle cancer across Nigeria and beyond. It was both a learning experience and a reminder of the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing the fight against cancer. The discussions were powerful as […]

Read more

Readout from October 6 Federal Advocacy Drop-In Session

October 25, 2024
Blog Posts, Community News, Explainer Post No comments yet

The October 10 Federal Advocacy drop-in session covered three pieces of authorizing legislation and provided an update on possible appropriations for FY2025.  Each of the legislative initiatives have a strong possibility for passage in this Congress, and advocates may be called on to make final pushes between now and the end of the year. Legislation: Give Kids a Chance Act has passed the US House and is awaiting approval in the Senate. This bill would help ensure kids with cancer have access to the most modern clinical trials by authorizing the FDA to direct companies to perform a pediatric cancer study for […]

Read more

CAC2 Member Blog–Wisconsin Pediatric Cancer Action Plan Published!

August 29, 2024
Blog Posts, Collaborative Achievements, Member Blogs No comments yet

By CAC2 Member Autumn Gentry, MACC Fund This collaborative state advocacy effort was due to the dedicated work of a pair of CAC2 members in Wisconsin building on the work that came together from other CAC2 members’ efforts.  We love to celebrate when our members work together!  I have been developing an advocacy arm for the MACC Fund with no formal experience or training, relying only on my personal connection to childhood cancer. I’ve noticed a pattern in getting things done: Start with an informed idea. Take a step forward. Listen for feedback. Connect with the right people. Repeat, one […]

Read more

CAC2 Collaborative Achievement–CAC2 Members Build Framework for Advancing Pediatric Cancer Research and Drug Development

July 22, 2024
Blog Posts, Collaborative Achievements No comments yet
At CAC2 we love to celebrate when our members work together.  We offer congratulations to Supporting Organization Day One Biopharmaceuticals and CAC2 member authors and reviewers who contributed to the white paper "Advancing Pediatric Cancer Research and Drug Development through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: A Framework Based on the Tovorafenib Journey."   "Advancing Pediatric Cancer Research and Drug Development through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration" highlights the specific collaborative efforts needed to address the limited treatment options for childhood cancer. Based on learnings from the research and development journey of tovorafenib, a treatment for pediatric low-grade glioma, the paper highlights features of successful collaborations among [...] Read more

NCI Advocacy Update

July 8, 2024
Blog Posts, Community News No comments yet
The NCI Council of Research Advocates met virtually on June 26 and heard the latest legislative report, with updates on appropriations, cancer-related legislation, and other ways that NCI is engaging and advocating.  The full deck is below, leading with the latest on the budget progress. Slide 14 highlights Congressional Staff meeting with NCI Director Dr. Kimryn Rathmell and NCI pediatric oncology experts (May 29, 2024).       The presentation also highlighted several pieces of legislation of interest to our community: Pediatric Cancer Drug Supply Act of 2024 (H.R. 6963), which directs HHS to establish a program to create a [...] Read more

CAC2 Member Blog–Empowering Communities: Driving Childhood Cancer Awareness from the Grassroots

June 10, 2024
Blog Posts, Member Blogs No comments yet

By CAC2 Student Member Joshua Omale In the heart of advocacy, the rhythm of change reverberates most profoundly at the grassroots level. For me, this journey isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about igniting hope, one person and one community at a time. As a passionate advocate for childhood cancer awareness, my path has been shaped by stories I have heard that reflect resilience, bonds of  solidarity, and a relentless pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. In this deeply personal reflection, I invite you to  explore the transformative power of community-driven initiatives in the fight against childhood cancer with me. Grassroots […]

Read more

CAC2 Member Blog–I Am Not A Miracle

June 2, 2024
Blog Posts, Member Blogs No comments yet

By CAC2 Member Steven Giallourakis (The Steven G. Cancer Foundation) When someone has succeeded in life, we tend to think of them as successful. That they have earned the life they have. This might be partially true, hard work does pay off. Yet when we look at someone’s success we tend to gloss over all the luck. If we are talking about business success and the accumulation of wealth, being born in the United States of America is the best roll of the dice you can have. Being born to parents who love you, who support you and can help […]

Read more

CAC2 Member Blog–Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (AKACA) Gains Traction in Congress and Needs Your Help!

May 28, 2024
Blog Posts, Community News, Member Blogs No comments yet

By CAC2 Member Matt Marks (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) State borders shouldn’t be barriers to treatment for children with cancer or other complex illnesses. Yet all too often, they cause challenges—or even treatment delays—for children and their families who rely on Medicaid or CHIP for their health insurance. That’s why I encourage our community to champion the bipartisan Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (AKACA).  This bill would reduce the paperwork required of doctors treating children from out-of-state, so that children can receive the care they need faster and with fewer delays. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce […]

Read more

CAC2 Member Blog–Perhaps one day, we can all say hello to the cure. ~The Meo Family

May 27, 2024
Blog Posts, Member Blogs No comments yet

By CAC2 Member Matt Meo (Hello Cure) Our family is yet another childhood cancer family. Our son, Landon Meo, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma on March 25th, 2021 and passed away on December 17, 2022 at the age of 10 and 1/2. Landon always said his wish is that “no kid EVER” have cancer. Like many parents, we found ourselves asking, “What can we do to help?” We frequently saw parents share their child’s story on Facebook and Instagram pages. Many had thousands of followers. Even the ones with smaller followings had a circle of people who genuinely cared about them.  […]

Read more

Community News–Health Subcommittee Markup in the House Energy & Commerce Committee Advances Legislation for Children with Cancer

May 27, 2024
Blog Posts, Community News No comments yet

The Energy and Commerce Committee advanced proposals earlier this month that will extend Americans’ access to telehealth services, strengthen and preserve Medicaid, and encourage innovation to help children with rare diseases. In a Subcommittee markup, the Health Subcommittee forwarded 21 pieces of legislation to the Full Committee for consideration.  Several of them are important to the childhood cancer community: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act (HR 7384). Pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for rare diseases that mainly affect children are eligible for rare pediatric disease priority review vouchers supporting their work. Children represent about half of all people living with a rare condition. […]

Read more
Archives

Enquire now

Give us a call or fill in the form below and we will contact you. We endeavor to answer all inquiries within 24 hours on business days.