13,500 kids will be diagnosed with cancer in the next year. Though these numbers are significant, pediatric cancer is an orphan disease as private companies cannot make a profit working on pediatric cancer treatments. Pediatric cancer research is severely underfunded.
A majority of pediatric cancer funding comes from tax payer funded National Cancer Institute which allots only 4%of its budget to kids cancer. The National Cancer Advisory Board is the advisory council for the National Cancer Institute. The board helps set the strategic direction for the NCI and has direct input on grant and funding decisions. National Cancer Advisory Board Members are appointed directly by the President. Currently, there are no pediatric oncologist on the Advisory Board. Be their voice today and sign.