Washington, D.C. (May 23, 2018) – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) commends the U.S. House of Representatives for unanimously approving the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act yesterday. Led by Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Representative Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Representative G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) in the U.S. House of Representatives and by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Senator Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) in the U.S. Senate, this legislation was also unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate in March. The Childhood Cancer STAR Act now heads to the White House to be signed into law.
“Advancing research in pediatric cancer and improving quality of life for childhood cancer survivors are at the core of LLS’s mission,” said Gwen L. Nichols, MD, LLS’s chief medical officer. “The Childhood Cancer STAR Act will have a powerful impact for childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families. LLS commends Representatives McCaul, Speier, Kelly, Butterfield and Senators Reed, Capito, Van Hollen and Isakson for their leadership on this important effort.”
As a member of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, LLS has worked with Congress and community partners to advance the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, which is the most comprehensive childhood cancer legislation ever introduced. The bill aims to boost pediatric cancer research efforts, unlock new insights into childhood cancer through enhanced tracking and reporting and improve the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors.
“More than 2,800 LLS advocates sent letters, made phone calls, and raised their voices to urge Congress to pass this legislation to support childhood cancer research and survivorship programs,” said Nichols. “LLS now looks forward to working with Congress to ensure the programs established in the Childhood Cancer STAR Act are robustly funded so they can be implemented to their fullest potential.”
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to fighting blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.