Why it Matters

In 2025, it is estimated that 2,041,910 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States (1). Of those, approximately 15,000 are expected to be children and adolescents aged 0 to 19, and tragically, an estimated 1,700 will die from the disease (2). These figures underscore the harsh reality that cancer affects the most vulnerable among us, regardless of age, income, or location.

While overall cancer mortality rates continue to decline, significant disparities persist. For example, Hispanic children now have the highest cancer incidence rates in the U.S., and non-Hispanic Black children are nearly 30% more likely to die from certain pediatric cancers than their white peers (2). Furthermore, children in rural or economically disadvantaged areas face severe barriers to specialized care and clinical trials, often resulting in poorer outcomes (2).

The need for community support has reached a critical tipping point due to substantial federal funding shifts. In early 2025, the federal government implemented approximately $2.7 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), resulting in a 31% decrease in cancer research funding compared to the previous year (3). Federal cuts have put the future of pediatric medicine at risk, making our work as advocates more vital than ever. We are shining a spotlight on this funding crisis to ensure that progress doesn't stop and that the need for modern, life-saving treatments remains at the forefront of the national conversation.

Citations:

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2025.
2. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Pediatric Cancer Progress Report 2025.
3. OncLive. Federal Funding Cuts Hit Cancer Research Despite Public Support (Reporting on May 2025 Senate Minority Staff Report).