Congressman McCaul Claims a Victory in the War Against Cancer
AUSTIN – After years of persistence, fighting alongside the bill’s author, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX 10) watched as President Bush signed into law the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008, allowing Americans touched by childhood cancer to mark celebrate a victory against a disease that destroys.
"Most of us are not doctors or researchers in Congress," said Rep. McCaul. "But this new law represents the small role that government can play in the lives of cancer patients and survivors. My hope is that it will ultimately allow our medical professionals to find a cure for a disease that does not discriminate, and in the short-term give hope to those who are afflicted."
The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act will:
Devote funding to help find a cure for childhood cancer. And it elevates our nation’s prioritization of pediatric cancer.
Establish the National Childhood Cancer Research Database to evaluate the incidence of trends of childhood cancers. This is important because it will allow researchers to identify causes of the most common types of childhood cancer, further enabling them to develop and implement prevention and treatment strategies.
Provide much-needed outreach and education for families of pediatric cancer patients to make sure they are aware of and have access to appropriate clinical treatment and support services.
"It’s just an awesome feeling," said Donna Culliver of Brenham. She and her husband Tim lost their four year old son, Adam, to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in 2003. Rep. McCaul met the Cullivers shortly after their loss while campaigning for Congress for the first time and promised to pursue funding for childhood cancer research. "Five years ago we could have done nothing. But with persistence and the grace of God it’s happened. Any individual, mom or dad can make a difference in this country."
Upon entering the House, Congressman McCaul immediately teamed up with Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH). The bill is named for her nine year old daughter who lost her battle with neuroblastoma in 1999. He has helped garner support for the bill and was invited to the United Nations to speak on the bill’s behalf before the World Health Organization.
Congressman McCaul has experienced his own losses to cancer. The disease took his father at the age of 63. He also lost a childhood friend to leukemia in fourth grade.
"I believe it is incumbent upon each of us, especially those of us elected to serve, to do our part to rid this world of cancer," said Congressman McCaul, the proud father of five children, "for the sake of my children, yours, and eventually theirs."