South SFV Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On May 17, U.S. Rep Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Health Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce, and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Co-Chair of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, reintroduced the Give Kids A Chance Act, a bill to provide children access to cutting-edge trials and therapies for cancer.

“Today, cutting-edge cancer treatments involve a combination of drugs to improve health outcomes for adults, but there is limited research on how these therapies can help children,” said Rep. Eshoo. “Our legislation will authorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to direct drug companies to conduct pediatric cancer trials on combination therapies. We've come long way, and this bill will ensure children have access to the newest and most effective treatments to treat and cure cancer.”

“Children should be given the same opportunity as adults to beat cancer, full stop,” said Rep. McCaul. “It has been the highlight of my career to fight for a better future for children with cancer, and the Give Kids A Chance Act is another large step in the right direction. I’m proud to re-introduce this bill, which would help save lives for years to come.”

Background:

The vast majority of pediatric cancer trials are currently conducted on kids with relapsed cancer. The FDA is only authorized to direct pediatric cancer trials of single drugs. Unfortunately, children with relapsed cancer are rarely cured by one-drug treatments because their cancers are so advanced.

Thousands of successful drug combination therapies are now being studied and developed for adults, but not for children. The Give Kids a Chance Act authorizes the FDA to direct companies to study a combinations of cancer drugs and therapies in pediatric trials as well.

Cosigning the bill are Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Jim Moylan (R-Guam), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Young Kim (R-CA), Dean Phillips (D-MN), and Glenn Grothman (R-WI).

The bill has been endorsed by Kids v Cancer, cc-TDI, CapLab, LLC, ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, Christina Renna Foundation Inc, Carmella Strong, Carson Leslie Foundation, County Progressives, Curing Kids Cancer, Curiosity Shots, DADA2 Foundation, DanceBlue, ,  Dragon Master Foundation, Elaine Roberts Foundation, Ella Strong, End Kids Cancer, EVAN Foundation, Gabriella’s Smile Foundation, Give Kids The World, Gold In September, Gold Rush Cure Foundation, Grandparents In Action, Hannah’s Cans For Cancer, Handstand Walk with Eloise, Handstand Walk for Kids, Hope Faster, Hug a Box, Hunter’s Cancer Journey, Joey’s Wings Foundation, JR Schoen Memorial Foundation, Kick Childhood Cancer Guild, Live Like John, Love Smiles, Lymphedema Advocacy Group, Mackey Family Childrens Cancer Foundation, Making Headway Foundation, Matthew's Hope 4 Miracles, Maynard Childhood Cancer Foundation, McKenna Claire Foundation, MIB Agents Osteosarcoma Alliance, Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Mystic Force Foundation, Oncology Nursing Society, Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice (OHNEP), Our Amazing Fighters, Pediatric Assessment, Learning & Support, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Phoenix Stone Foundation, PNOC Foundation, Press On Fund, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Rett's Roost, Robby Butlers Super Hero Fund, Roe Roe's Heroes Childhood Ca, Sadie Keller Foundation, Scottie’s Birdies, Sebastianstrong Foundation Inc, Shepherd Foundation, Solving Kids’ Cancer, Swifty Foundation, Syngap1 Foundation, Team G Childhood Cancer Foundation, Teen Cancer America, The Alan B. Slifka Foundation, The Catherine Elizabeth Blair Memorial Foundation, The Cure Starts Now Foundation, The Gold Hope Project, The Kortney Rose Foundation, The Lilabean Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research, The Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation, The Max Cure Foundation, The Morgan Adams Foundation, The Scott Carter Foundation, The Taylor Matthews Foundation, The Valerie Fund, Unravel Pediatric Cancer, Tough2gether Against DIPG; DIPG DMG Research Funding Alliance, Triumph Over Kid Cancer Found,  Until 20, West Virginia Kids Cancer Crusaders, William's Warriors, Wyatt's Warriors, Wylie's Day Foundation, and Yusef’s Legacy.

Click here to view full bill text.

Original source can be found here