Legislation Introduced Supporting the Psychosocial Needs of Children with Cancer

Our friend's at the Children's Cause for Cancer Advocacy reported on this new legislative initiative in their June newsletter.

On May 11, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Michael McCaul (R-TX), co-chairs of the Congressional Pediatric Cancer Caucus, introduced legislation to raise awareness and encourage the research and treatment of psychosocial needs of children diagnosed with cancer.

The resolution urges the federal government and the private sector to invest in the development of new and improved psychosocial and medical treatments for children with cancer.

Nearly two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors are likely to experience at least one late effect of their treatment, including many serious psychological and social disorders. Children diagnosed with cancer also face the threat of many other late effects, including neurocognitive, cardiopulmonary, and second malignancies.

CCCA supports and commends Peter Brown and Victoria Sardi-Brown, founders of the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation, for their dedicated work to increase attention to these difficult problems in the lives of survivors of childhood cancer.