[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CHILDHOOD CANCER SUMMIT

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                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I am honored to take this opportunity to 
discuss a recent event in DC on an issue that has always been of 
particular significance to me. On September 16, 2010, I hosted a 
Childhood Cancer Summit with Congressman Joe Sestak on behalf of the 
Pediatric Cancer Caucus. We held the Summit in September to honor 
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Our goal was to raise awareness among 
Members of Congress and to advance policies to better treat and prevent 
this disease.
  Pediatric cancer is the leading killer by disease of our nation's 
children. Thirty-five children, or the equivalent of an entire school 
classroom, are diagnosed every day.
  However, pediatric cancer research remains woefully underfunded. To 
compound this problem, the small patient population creates no market 
incentive for pharmaceutical companies to develop pediatric cancer 
drugs. Therefore, there exists a lack of available treatments and drugs 
tailored specifically to childhood cancer. Only one drug has been 
manufactured particularly for pediatric cancer since the 1980s. In 
addition, three out of every five survivors face devastating long-term 
effects from their disease or their treatments. Pediatric cancer is a 
chronic disease, and we have much to learn before diagnosed children 
are guaranteed to lead full and normal lives.
  It is the goal of the Pediatric Cancer Caucus to raise awareness for 
these issues, as well as to advocate in support of measure which will 
improve the lives of patients, and work toward eliminating this disease 
as a threat to all children. The Caucus now has about 80 members, and 
is steadily growing.
  The Childhood Cancer Summit included a panel discussion between 
childhood cancer experts from around the nation. Participants came from 
many of the premier pediatric cancer centers, including MD Anders 
Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of 
Philadelphia, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and St. Jude Children's 
Research Hospital. The panelists discussed the unique challenges facing 
childhood cancer patients and their families compared with adult 
cancers, including the development of better treatments for kids with 
cancer and initiatives to improve the quality of survivorship.
  It is my goal to use the recommendations from these panelists to 
shape an effective legislative agenda, and gamer the support of my 
fellow policymakers. As policymakers, we have a responsibility to the 
many children and families suffering from this devastating disease.

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