HARRISBURG – The Senate Finance Committee approved a bill today that could generate up to $100 million in private donations over the next decade to support childhood cancer research, according to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Scott Martin (R-13).
Senate Bill 74 would create a tax credit program for qualifying donations to a Pennsylvania pediatric cancer research hospital. The program would be capped at $10 million per year over the next 10 years.
“The number of families who have been affected by pediatric cancer is staggering. As a parent, I cannot imagine the fear and pain associated with that kind of diagnosis,” Martin said. “These families deserve to know that we are fighting for them and taking every opportunity to improve treatments, both now and in the future.”
Earlier this week, Pennsylvania families affected by pediatric cancer highlighted the need for lawmakers to approve this legislation in a special video presentation with Senator Martin. The families shared their stories about how pediatric cancer has affected their lives – and why more resources are needed to study treatment options for young patients.
Martin also authored a law in 2018 that allows Pennsylvanians to donate $5 to the Pediatric Cancer Research Fund when electronically renewing a driver’s license, photo identification card or vehicle registration, in addition to a law that makes telepresence technology available to help homebound students participate in classroom activities and learning with their peers.
According to the American Cancer Society, more children die from cancer than any other disease. Currently, the National Cancer Institute spends just 4 percent of its research dollars on pediatric cancer.
The bill was sent to the full Senate for consideration.
CONTACT: Terry Trego (717) 787-6535