HARRISBURG – A plan to expand cancer research funding was approved as part of the Pennsylvania 2021-22 state budget, according to PA Senator Scott Martin (R-13), who championed the legislation alongside many children battling cancer, their families, parents who lost their beloved angels and other advocates.
“Fighting pediatric cancer must continue to be a focus for our future,” Senator Martin said. “Providing the opportunity for additional research funding is an opportunity to support these cancer warriors in their fight to find treatments that are more appropriate for kids and hopefully someday, a possible cure.”
Martin has long been an advocate for finding resources to fund pediatric cancer research. His legislation, Senate Bill 74, to create a tax credit program for qualifying donations to Pennsylvania pediatric cancer research hospitals was altered and amended into HB 1348 and will be funded by the Tobacco Settlement Fund in the amount of $10 million dollars, expected annually.
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 less than 4% of its research dollars on pediatric cancer.
CONTACT: Terry Trego