HEALTHCARE
$ 10M for Pediatric Cancer Will Advance Research , Treatment
The Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey will lead this effort .
Compiled by John Joseph Parker Contributing Editor
Aiding in the longtime mission to increase investment in cancer research , New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a fiscal year 2022 state budget which included a $ 10 million appropriation to support pediatric cancer research . This legislation , which was sponsored by Senate President Stephen M . Sweeney and Senator Anthony M . Bucco , will support the establishment of the Pediatric Cancer Center at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , which in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health , is a leader in pediatric cancer research and care .
Currently , fewer than five percent of federal funding for cancer research is dedicated specifically to understanding and seeking cures for pediatric cancer , and only two drugs targeting childhood cancer have been approved in the past 20 years , according to the American Cancer Society . The American Cancer Society also predicts approximately 10,500 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer this year . While cancer survival rates for children have improved significantly over the past 50 years , cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children .
NJ State Senator Stephen Sweeney 30 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com
“ New Jersey is a leader in the fight against cancer , but we know that more research will help to identify ways to prevent and treat pediatric cancers , says New Jersey State Senator Stephen Sweeney . “ Additional support for pediatric cancer research is a top priority so that we can continue to make progress to reduce cancer incidence and improve outcomes for young cancer victims . This funding will support the establishment of the Pediatric Cancer Center at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey so we can increase awareness , support more research and work for a cure to a disease that impacts so many .”
“ As New Jersey Jersey ’ s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center , our mission is to conduct cutting-edge research and translate those findings into new and improved therapies ,” notes Rutgers Cancer Institute Director Steven K . Libutti , M . D ., FACS , who is also the senior vice president of oncology
“ Cancer is the number one disease-related cause of death for children in America . In spite of that , currently , 29 states have no mention of childhood cancer in their state cancer action plan ...”
services at RWJBarnabas Health . “ This is a huge step forward to ensure that our pediatric cancer researchers have the funding necessary to continue to advance pediatric cancer research and care . We are extremely grateful for this support , as well as all of the continued support provided by the legislature and governor .”
The funding was championed by Grace Eline , a 12-year old survivor of brain cancer and childhood cancer awareness advocate who was treated at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health , and her mother Aubrey Eline in collaboration with the American Childhood Cancer Organization ( ACCO ). The ACCO is the nation ’ s oldest and largest grassroots organization dedicated to childhood cancer and spearheaded the movement to increase investment in pediatric cancer research in all 50 states .
Grace shares , “ We are excited that the legislators have chosen to support this worthy cause . It
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy
is inspiring that this is the first-of-its-kind funding for pediatric cancer in this state . I know firsthand how amazing Rutgers Cancer Institute is at helping childhood cancer warriors and I am thankful that they can help even more now .”
“ Cancer is the number one disease-related cause of death for children in America . In spite of that , currently , 29 states have no mention of childhood cancer in their state cancer action plan as identified by the American Childhood Cancer Organization ’ s landscape analysis ,” explains Ruth Hoffman , CEO of the ACCO . “ Most cancer research at the national and state level is dedicated to adult cancers . Through advocates like Grace Eline and her mom , we are grateful for the collaboration with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey to prioritize the inclusion of pediatric cancer research in the New Jersey state cancer budget .”
“ This funding will be transformational in continuing to advance our research and treatment for children with cancer ,” says Peter Cole , M . D ., chief of Pediatric Hematology / Oncology and Embrace Kids Foundation Endowed Chair in Pediatric Hematology / Oncology at Rutgers Cancer Institute and professor of pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School . “ Funds dedicated to pediatric cancer research
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