Landmark Legislation is Passed

From Kate Shafer, at CureSearch:

Dear Advocates,

Below you will find the Curesearch press release announcing passage of
the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008. This
success has been the result of many things but the more than 20,000
letters sent by advocates to members of Congress about childhood
cancer and this bill have been a key factor. This brings us all one
step closer to enacting a law that will make a critical difference to
children with cancer.

Thank you for your letters. Please take a moment to thank your
Representatives and continue to contact your Senators to urge passage
in the Senate.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CureSearch Praises Passage of the "Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer
Childhood Cancer Act" in U.S. House of Representatives

Children with Cancer and their Families to Benefit from Landmark
Legislation

June 12, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) - CureSearch National Childhood Cancer
Foundation salutes the United States House of Representatives for
passage of H.R. 1553, the "Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood
Cancer Act," which promises to significantly increase federal
investment into childhood cancer research.

During markup of the legislation, the bill was renamed the Caroline
Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008, in memory of
Caroline Pryce Walker, daughter of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH),
who succumbed to neuroblastoma in 1999 at age nine.

The bill authorizes $30 million annually over five years, providing
funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research,
to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and
to further improve public awareness and communication regarding
available treatments and research for children with cancer and their
families.

"For far too long, children suffering from pediatric cancer have
gotten short shrift on federal resources," said Pryce, original author
of this groundbreaking legislation.

"The bill we passed today dramatically expands federal investment into
childhood cancer research and education, and will make an historic
difference in the lives of the more than 12,000 children who will be
diagnosed with cancer each year. A nation with our resources, our
scientists, our committed doctors and oncologists, and our inherent
and insuppressible fighting spirit can and should do more to put an
end to so much suffering."

Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), one of the original co-sponsors
of the Carolyn Walker Pryce Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, stated that
conquering childhood cancer has transcended partisan politics, and
addresses a critical national issue that is finally receiving the
attention it deserves.

"I am pleased that the House passed this important legislation, which
will bring us one step closer to eradicating pediatric cancer," said
Van Hollen. "This bill will enhance and expand pediatric cancer
research activities at the National Institutes of Health, establish a
pediatric cancer registry, and increase informational and educational
outreach efforts to patients and families affected by pediatric
cancer. No child should have to experience and suffer the effects of
cancer, and no parent should have to see their child suffer."

CureSearch supports the life-saving research of the Children's
Oncology Group, the world's premier cancer research collaborative.
Treating 90% of children with cancer, the Children's Oncology Group
includes more than 5,000 experts in childhood cancer research and
treatment, located at more than 200 leading children's and university
hospitals across North America.

"The Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act allows for
translation of the very best research discoveries into clinical
evaluation and practice, in order to improve the cure rates for all
children with cancer," noted Gregory Reaman, MD, Chair of the
Children's Oncology Group. "Only research cures childhood cancer. On
behalf of my colleagues in the Children's Oncology Group and the
children with cancer and their families who are our partners in
clinical research, we thank our Congressional leaders."

"On behalf of CureSearch, we applaud the steadfast leadership of
Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Deborah Pryce and their
colleagues in the House who through the passage of this bill have made
finding the cure for childhood cancer an urgent national priority,"
said Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director, CureSearch.

Companion legislation in the United States Senate (S.911), sponsored
by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), cleared the Senate Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously in November, 2007. The
Senate version of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act currently has 63
co-sponsors; a full Senate floor vote on the bill is expected this
summer.

About CureSearch
CureSearch seeks to conquer childhood cancer, conquer it sooner,
conquer it fully and for all time. Through public education, advocacy
and fundraising, the National Childhood Cancer Foundation, a
non-profit 501 (c) (3), supports the work of the Children's Oncology
Group (COG), the world's premier pediatric cancer research
collaborative. This network of more than 5,000 healthcare
professionals dedicates their lives to finding answers and sharing
results. More than 12,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each
year, and more than 40,000 children and adolescents are currently in
treatment. Only research cures cancer. For more information, visit
www.CureSearch. org.