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On June 5th, 2018, President Trump signed into law the STAR Act (the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Treatment Access and Research Act,) the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever passed by the government. Three years in the making, this bill received overwhelming support from our elected officials in the Senate and House and now the President has formally signed it into law.

The STAR will provide critical funding to childhood cancer research, work towards less toxic and more effective treatments and offer enhanced resources for survivors by:

• “Expanding opportunities for childhood cancer research– The STAR Act will authorize the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to expand existing efforts to collect biospecimens for childhood cancer patients enrolled in NCI-sponsored clinical trials, so researchers can better analyze and compare clinical, biological and demographic information.
• Improving childhood cancer surveillance– The bill will support the advancement of a national childhood cancer registry where childhood cancer incidences can be documented, tracked and shared.
• Improving quality of life for childhood cancer survivors– As many as two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors suffer from late effects of their disease or treatment, including secondary cancers and organ damage. This legislation will enhance research on the late effects of childhood cancers and improve long-term care for childhood cancer survivors.” (source)

This is a monumental step forward in the quest to further childhood cancer research and help those affected by these devastating diseases.  We thank everyone who championed for the passage of this bill!