During last week’s Childhood Cancer Action Day, legislation to reauthorize the Childhood Cancer STAR Act was introduced in both chambers of Congress! The original STAR Act was signed into law in 2018 after unprecedented support from our community. It authorized five years of funding at $30 million annually from 2019-2023. Also, thanks to the community’s efforts the STAR Act has subsequently received those expected appropriations of $30 million each year. The STAR Act represents important bipartisan legislation designed to advance pediatric cancer research and child-focused cancer treatments, while also improving childhood cancer surveillance and providing enhanced resources for survivors.
On April 28, the bipartisan bill to reauthorize the STAR Act beyond its set expiration in 2023 was introduced in the Senate by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and in the House by Childhood Cancer Caucus co-chairs Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), Jackie Speier (D-CA-14), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-01).
The STAR Act expands opportunities for childhood cancer research, improves efforts to identify and track childhood cancer incidences, and enhances the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors. Extending this landmark legislation for five more years through reauthorization will enable STAR Act programs to continue making a life-saving impact for the 16,000 children in the U.S. who are diagnosed with cancer every year and the more than 500,000 survivors who face a lifetime of health challenges due to their treatment.
We thank these Members for their continued leadership on childhood cancer issues and look forward to the community rallying around this important legislation.