Terramed Alliance News Hope Street Kids joins CureSearch

Terramed Alliance News Strengthens National Efforts to Conquer Childhood Cancer
To conquer childhood cancer, two leading pediatric cancer organizations, Hope Street Kids founded by former U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Pryce and Randy Walker and CureSearch [National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF) and the Children's Oncology Group (COG)] have joined forces under the umbrella of CureSearch. The announcement was made today at CureSearch's Reach the Day event on Capitol Hill.

Under the CureSearch flag, the Hope Street Kids program will continue to enhance national pediatric cancer research efforts and bring hope to the current continuum of scientific research. Combining Hope Street Kids support of research developments with those of the COG will lead to a broader path of scientific progress for pediatric cancer.

"Each day that pediatric cancer research goes under-funded, the road to discovering new treatments and cures become longer, and more children are put at risk," said Gregory Reaman, M.D., Chairman of the Children's Oncology Group. "We have a long history of success through collaboration; this new partnership will increase the likelihood of continued success.

Until now, advances in childhood cancer have been dramatic -- 40 years ago cure rates were less than 10 percent; today, 78 percent overall are cured. Recognizing that there is more to be done, in 2008, Congress unanimously passed the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act originally sponsored by former Rep. Deborah Pryce and named in honor of her daughter who died from neuroblastoma in 1999. The bill was signed into law in July 2008 authorizing $150 million ($30 million each year) to expand pediatric cancer research, awareness and to create the national childhood cancer research registry.

"Over the past ten years Hope Street Kids has had a wonderfully productive relationship under the auspices of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. We are truly grateful for the guidance and support that the organization has provided us for many years. We are delighted to team up with CureSearch to support the life-saving work of the COG," said former Rep. Deborah Pryce and co-founder of Hope Street Kids. "I am confident that our new relationship will lead us to making the research advances necessary to ensure a healthy future for all children."

The joint effort was announced today in front of more than 450 participants at CureSearch's Reach the Day Rally on Capitol Hill featuring Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA). This year's congressional visits from CureSearch families from 37 states and D.C. are focused on urging members of Congress to fully fund the bill. The $30M per year needs to be appropriated by Congress annually, and with the current economic situation the childhood cancer community is concerned about the funding being fully appropriated for 2010 and beyond.

"The addition of the Hope Street Kids to CureSearch will accelerate COG research from the bench to the bedside," said Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director, CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation. "Together, we will reach the day when every child with cancer is guaranteed a cure."

Also announced at CureSearch's Reach the Day is the formation of the first Pediatric Cancer Caucus -- members of Congress dedicated to conquering childhood cancer -- and the congressional proclamation that September 12 is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

Contacts
Terramed Alliance News : For more information about CureSearch National Children Cancer Foundation, contact Sheri Singer, [email protected]. 703-346-7111.

Terramed Alliance is a non-profit organization in the battle against leukemia helps children living with cancer and their families. Our goal is to make sure children battling cancer know they are not alone. For more information please visit www.terramedalliance.org. Email at [email protected]

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