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Volunteers Advocate for Childhood Cancer Research at the 12th Annual Alliance for Childhood Cancer Action Days

April 24, 2023

ACS CAN volunteers recently traveled to Washington, D.C., from across the nation to join more than 200 cancer patients, survivors and family members from 34 states and the District of Columbia for the 12th Annual Alliance for Childhood Cancer Action Days, a two-day event organized by the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, of which ACS CAN is a member. 

The volunteers – some of whom are kids who have experienced cancer themselves - shared their personal stories and urged lawmakers to fund childhood cancer programs and ensure childhood cancer research remains a national priority. Participants asked lawmakers to fully fund the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research (STAR) Act and fully fund the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative(CCDI) to improve the quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families. They also asked lawmakers to continue to make strong investments in the National Institutes for Health and the National Cancer Institute to help advance discoveries in the fight against childhood cancer.

Action Day at the capitol features Cole, Libby, Paul and TaylorCancer Action Day survivors posing with arms raised in excitementCancer Action Day featuring Representative Kathy CastorSenator Rick Scott, Florida with group of Cancer Action Day participants


ACS CAN is urging Congress to fully fund the STAR Act and CCDI at $30 million and $50 million, respectively, and providing at least $51 billion for National Institutes of Health, including $9.988 billion for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute. By supporting this funding, Congress can increase opportunities for childhood cancer research, improve the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors, and expand efforts to track childhood cancer incidences. 

You can join the fight by sending a message to your members of Congress about these programs today. 


Download: Federal Funding for Childhood Cancer Programs Factsheet