To: Dave Brat

From: Breanne Westfall

Date: October 25, 2017
Subject: H.R. 820 - Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research Act of 2017 or the
Childhood Cancer STAR Act
Although there has been increasing amounts of research in the field of pediatric cancer, cancer still
remains a leading cause of death in children under the age of 14. Many lives could be saved or improved
if the field of pediatric cancer research received more funding, and if there were more resources available
for childhood cancer survivors. Thus, I strongly support H.R. 820, the Childhood Cancer Survivorship,
Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act. Children and young adults deserve the best possible care
in order to prolong and increase the quality of their lives.
Through the use of research and new treatment methods, the outlook for children under age 20 has
improved greatly over the years. In 1975, only 50% of these children survived at least 5 years. Now, that
number has increased to 83% (National Cancer Institute, 2017). While this is a great improvement, there
are still many lives that could be saved. This is one of the goals of the STAR Act. If enacted, this act will
allow more funding and research to be put towards curing or treating cancers that are still killing
America’s children every year. The children who are cured still need follow-up care to make sure they
will not suffer potentially fatal late effects of their cancer treatment, such as second cancers, joint
replacements, hearing loss, congestive heart failure, and other effects (National Cancer Institute, 2017).

 Over the past few decades, childhood cancer rates have slowly but steadily been rising. Over 10,000
children were diagnosed with cancer in 2016. Although survival rates as a whole have risen since the
1970’s, survival rates for more rare cancers continue to remain low (American Cancer Society, 2016).
The STAR Act would like to increase research on these more rare and fatal cancers to provide better
outcomes and prognoses for patients.

 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they turn 20. Childhood cancer effects
people of all genders, races and ethnicities, and socioeconomic classes; it spares no one. Despite this, less
than 4% of the yearly federal government budget for cancer research is used to research childhood
cancers. Childhood cancer research is majorly underfunded, making it difficult to move forward and make
progress (Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, 2017).
Recommendation: Vote to pass bill H.R. 820 Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and
Research Act of 2017. Currently, the field of pediatric cancer research is severely underfunded. If more
funding was directed to this research, many young lives could be saved, and these children could go on to
lead long, happy lives. Through the STAR Act, childhood cancer survivors would also have to potential
to have better long-term outcomes, as more funding would be directed towards preventing and treating
late effects of cancer. Overall, the STAR Act would benefit many families and children, and has the
potential to help save many young and innocent lives.
Children do not deserve to be sick and suffer, and the lack of funding for childhood cancer research
contributes to this sickness and suffering. I implore you to support H. R. 820, the Childhood Cancer
Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research act of 2017.
 References

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Childhood Cancer: Information and Stories of our Heroes! (2017,

May 24). Retrieved October 28, 2017, from https://www.alexslemonade.org/childhood-cancer-

information-and-stories-our-heroes

American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Childhood Cancers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2017, from

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/key-statistics.html

National Cancer Institute. Cancer in Children and Adolescents. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2017, from

https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers/child-adolescent-cancers-fact-sheet