FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2008
CONTACT:
Lindsay Strug
571-483-1364
Lindsay.strug@asco.org
Alexandria, VA — The Alliance for Childhood Cancer, made up of more than 20 national patient advocacy groups and professional medical and scientific organizations, held a reception today to honor Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) for her leadership and commitment to the needs of children affected by cancer.
Rep. Pryce, who announced her intention to retire in August 2007, was elected to Congress in 1992. During her eight terms of service to Ohio’s 15th District, Rep. Pryce has introduced many pieces of legislation to improve the lives of children affected by cancer.
“I am touched that the Alliance for Childhood Cancer is celebrating my work on an issue that is so personal and important to me,” Rep. Pryce said. “It is my hope that Congress will continue to channel our country’s resources and use public policy to help make cancer a more manageable disease.”
On July 29, 2008, the President signed into law the Caroline Walker Pryce Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which will increase funding for research into childhood cancer. The legislation was named in honor of Rep. Pryce's daughter, who was nine years old when she died of cancer in 1999. This past January, Rep. Pryce introduced the Compassionate Care for Children Act with Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) to improve the quality of palliative and end-of-life care for children and assure that their families have access to appropriate resources. Rep. Pryce is also a Co-Founder and Co-Chair the House Cancer Caucus.
“The Alliance for Childhood Cancer is so grateful for all of the work that Rep. Pryce has done for children affected by cancer,” said Craig Lustig, co-chair of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer. “She has been a Congressional champion for children who have or have had cancer and an inspiration for parents who have children affected by cancer.”
Cancer kills more children and young adults between the ages of 1 and 20 each year than diabetes, asthma, AIDS and cystic fibrosis, combined. However, the population of survivors of childhood cancers has grown exponentially over the years. In 1960, only 4 percent of children with cancer survived more than five years, but now, nearly 75 percent of the children who are diagnosed with cancer have a five-year survival rate.
However, nearly two-thirds of survivors of childhood cancer still will face at least one life-altering effect from their treatment, and one-fourth will experience serious or life threatening effects, including neurological or cognitive effects, cardiac or pulmonary problems, and increased risk for other cancers.
The Alliance for Childhood Cancer brings together patient advocates, many of whom are either cancer survivors themselves or are parents of children with cancer, and oncology professionals to advance the interests of children with cancer. The Alliance supports research and policies to prevent cancer and improve diagnosis, treatment, supportive care and survivorship of children and adolescents with cancer.
For more information about childhood cancer or The Childhood Cancer Survivorship Act, visit the Alliance for Childhood Cancer online at www.childhoodcanceralliance.org.
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The Alliance for Childhood Cancer, representing more than 20 national cancer patient advocacy groups, professional medical societies and scientific organizations, was established in 2001 to advocate on behalf of the youngest victims of cancer. Its mission is: To provide a forum of national patient advocacy groups and medical and scientific organizations which meets regularly, shares ideas and concerns, and works collaboratively to advance research and policies to prevent cancer, and improve public education, and the diagnosis, treatment, supportive care and survivorship of children and adolescents with cancer.
