Your action matters more than ever to save kids
Just before the new year, the 2025 federal budget passed, surprising the pediatric cancer community by cutting provisions designed to support pediatric cancer research and accessibility.
The cuts included:
- The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, which cuts bureaucratic red tape that keeps
kids from accessing time-sensitive care across state lines; - The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act, which incentivizes critical pediatric research, but whose funding has expired due to congressional inaction;
- The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act, to ensure pediatric studies for possible new
treatments are completed on time—and brings us closer to cures; - Give Kids A Chance Act, which allows researchers to study combinations of new cancer
drugs, potentially unlocking new cures for kids; and - The RARE Act, which clarifies Congress’ interpretation of the Orphan Drug Act to ensure pediatric drug research and development isn’t locked out from newly approved drugs that don’t impact pediatric populations.
Fortunately, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 did pass separately as the U.S. Senate approved reauthorization. This Act renews federal funding for a dedicated National Institutes of Health program that supports research into treatments and cures for childhood cancer.
These cuts are devastating. For families facing a diagnosis, they mean access to less toxic and more effective therapies are threatened, including combination therapies for children who have relapsed, opportunities for low-income families on Medicaid to access life-saving therapy across state lines, and incentives for pediatric cancer drug development. They mean fewer breakthroughs, slower progress, and more uncertainty in a fight where every day matters.
“At CureSearch, we’ve always been driven by one mission: to end childhood cancer. With your help, we’ve funded groundbreaking research that’s improving survival rates and delivering hope to families,” said Kay Koehler, Chief Executive Officer. “And now, in the face of these funding cuts, our work has never been more urgent —and we can’t do it without you.”
CureSearch does not receive government funding, but the survival of pediatric cancer drug development relies, in part, on the government’s support of these initiatives. We are asking the pediatric cancer community to rally in response. Here’s how you can take action in 2025:
- Donate: Your support directly fuels the most promising research and brings life-saving treatments to kids faster. Make a gift today.
- Volunteer: From serving on a board or committee to donating your skills pro-bono, your time and passion can make a powerful impact. Join us.
- Fundraise: Whether you host a fundraiser or join a CureSearch event, you can rally your community to stand with the kids who need us. Start here.
The truth is, we can’t wait for someone else to step in. It’s up to us to ensure that these funding cuts don’t stop progress. Children with cancer need us now more than ever.
Thank you for standing with us, and with all the families fighting for new and better treatments. Read more about the childhood cancer community’s advocacy efforts and response to these funding cuts here.
