Schumer, Vitter Join Rep. Barbara Lee in Introducing Bill to Combat Brain Tumors in Children

With 2,200 Children Diagnosed with Malignant Brain Tumors Each Year, Critical Funding, Research, and Coordination are Desperately Needed

Legislation will Create a New Pediatric Brain Cancer Research Network within the National Cancer Institute to Study and Prevent this Tragic Disease

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and David Vitter (R-LA) joined with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today to introduce legislation that would require the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a National Childhood Brain Tumor Prevention Network. The new National Childhood Brain Tumor Prevention Network would be tasked with conducting and coordinating research, providing grants, and issuing guidance and recommendations with the ultimate goal of preventing and curing pediatric brain cancers. Senator Schumer and Senator Vitter introduced the bill in the Senate today. Rep. Lee reintroduced the legislation in the House.

“There is very little that we know about the causes of brain tumors in children. But what we do know is that this disease confounds researchers, inflicts heartache on families, and shortens the lives of far too many children,” Senator Schumer said. “For kids enduring treatment, and family and friends watching them suffer, research provides a ray of hope. We must provide the National Cancer Institute with the mandate, and the resources, to study this terrible disease, because every kid should be afforded the opportunity to grow up healthy and happy.”

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Due to the relatively few cases of pediatric brain cancer, there is very little research done to treat and cure this type of cancer. In addition, the pharmaceuticals don't find it profitable to invest their R&D towards children's brain cancers. You can help by contacting your state senators and congressman and urge them to pass this bill.

To find and contact your state reps, click here.

Urge your Representatives to support House Bill HR 653.

Urge your Senators to support Senate Bill S 305.

We'll also provide updates to the bills over to the right --->