Created by Smiles for Courage

Cancer is a distant word to many, but incredibly personal to me. When a close friend in elementary school was diagnosed with cancer, I saw firsthand that true strength doesn’t come from the fight itself, but from the people who stand by you through it. For two years, she was absent from school—very sick, isolated, and alone. Seeing her go through the struggle, even from a distance, showed me how much love, care, and encouragement can anchor someone in the hardest moments. That experience inspired the creation of Smiles for Courage, an organization dedicated to ensuring no child facing pediatric cancer feels alone.

Supporting children through cancer, however, goes beyond emotional care. Pediatric patients need better treatments, earlier diagnoses, and research-driven solutions. Currently, only about 4–8% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is dedicated to pediatric cancer research, even though over 9,500 children in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, and more than 1,000 may die. Many treatments are outdated, clinical trials are limited, and families often run out of options far too quickly.

Smiles for Courage urges our national leaders to implement C.U.R.E. – our SMART, actionable goals for pediatric cancer research:

C – Champion Funding: Increase national cancer research funding by 20% over the next three federal budgets.
Action Steps:

Allocate an additional $1.3 billion annually to the National Cancer Institute, with a dedicated portion for pediatric oncology.
Ensure these funds cannot be diverted to general adult cancer programs.
Mandate annual public reporting on fund allocation and research outcomes to maintain transparency.
U – Unleash Pediatric Research: Double funding for pediatric cancer research within the same three-year period.
Action Steps:

Expand grants through programs like NCI’s Pediatric Oncology Branch and the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative.
Create incentives for hospitals and research centers to prioritize pediatric cancer studies.
Launch at least 10 new pediatric clinical trials annually, tracking progress against milestones.
R – Reinforce Research Infrastructure: Expand clinical trials and research facilities to accelerate breakthroughs.
Action Steps:

Provide federal grants to increase capacity at hospitals and research centers for pediatric trials.
Fund technology upgrades for patient data collection, genomic sequencing, and trial monitoring.
Build partnerships between major cancer centers and regional hospitals so children nationwide can access trials without relocating.
E – Ensure Equity: Guarantee advanced treatments reach every family, in every community.
Action Steps:

Fund travel, lodging, and treatment support for families who cannot afford specialized pediatric care.
Implement outreach programs in underserved areas to connect families to clinical trials and treatments.
Require federally funded pediatric trials to include diverse patient populations, ensuring findings benefit all children.
Every child deserves the chance to grow up.
Every family deserves hope.
And every person affected by cancer deserves a nation that chooses action over hesitation.

We urge Congress and federal agencies to act now and implement these SMART, time-bound funding increases. Cancer is nondiscriminatory—it touches every community, every district, and even the families of those serving in Congress. The breakthroughs of tomorrow depend on the choices made today, and lives will be saved only if we commit to bold, immediate investment.

Thank you for your consideration and for standing with the children and families who are counting on you.