Mission
Since our founding in 1970, ACCO has been at the forefront of advocating for childhood cancer research funding. Despite extensive successes at the federal level, research remains sorely underfunded.
In 2011, ACCO conducted an analysis of state-based comprehensive cancer control plans. We concluded that more than half of our nation’s states had no childhood cancer language included in their plans. These plans guide and coordinate efforts within the state to gather state-specific cancer incidence and mortality data, as well as identify and implement goals and strategies specific to address their cancer burden and needs. The majority of plans and associated state-based funding were focused primarily on adult cancer.
In 2016, ACCO asked a critical question: “What about kids?” Since then, we have taken the lead to represent childhood cancer on state cancer working groups, as well as securing childhood cancer research funding at the state level. ACCO has joined over 40 state cancer control plans and is the only nationally-recognized organization specializing in childhood cancer to do so.
ACCO has proven that states play a critical role in overcoming the national disparity between adult and childhood cancer research, treatment, and support. This has only been possible through our donor-funded What About Kids?® advocacy initiative.
Progress
As of 2025, seven states have stepped up to prioritize childhood cancer research. ACCO is proud to have secured more than $119,400,000 in state-level appropriations. Although we champion the legislation that secures these funds, not a dime of it goes to ACCO: that money is for research centers. ACCO relies on the generosity of donors to continue funding this successful initiative.
Senate Bill 82 | Kentucky
$36,500,000 New Funds for Pediatric Cancer Research (FY 2018-2024)
Establishes the “Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund” (KPCRTF), funded in the amount of $2.5 million each year of the biennium as part of the 2018
budget bill.
House Bill 2310 | Pennsylvania
$44,000,000+ New Funds for Pediatric Cancer Research (FY 2024-2025)
Tobacco settlement funding and donations through the Driver’s License Division are divided among research institutions conducting pediatric cancer research.
S1431 & S3724 | New Jersey
$25,000,000 New Funds for Pediatric Cancer Research (FY 2021-2023)
Establishes the Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, which determines how to utilize funds for pediatric cancer research within the NJCCR and Rutgers Cancer Institute’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program.
SB0013 & HB0051 | Maryland
$8,000,000 New Funds for Pediatric Cancer Research (FY 2022-2023)
Establishes the Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund to provide grants to certain eligible persons, institutions, and organizations to conduct pediatric cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
House Bill 30 | Virginia
$1,400,000 New Funds for Pediatric Cancer Research (FY 2023-2025)
Contracts with the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation to facilitate the provision of pediatric cancer support services by pediatric cancer treatment centers in Virginia.
LB 802 | Nebraska
$4,500,000 New Funds for Pediatric Cancer Research (FY 2023-2025)
Includes an increase of $2.7 million for pediatric cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
A 1302 | New York
Taxpayer Gift Option: Allows taxpayers to contribute to the fund.
An act to amend the tax law and the state finance law, in relation to providing taxpayer gifts for the Cure Childhood Cancer Research Fund.
Why Your State Should Get Involved
Outdated Protocols
The majority of children with cancer today are being treated with the same medical protocols that were used to treat childhood cancer 30 years ago. There has been very little advancement in quality of treatment. Although survival rates have improved, this is mostly due to the overall advancement of hospital care, not the medicine itself.
States Are Crucial
Recently, the federal government has made huge cuts to cancer research. In December 2024, five bills dedicated specifically to childhood cancer research were stripped from the budget. Children are relying on state-level research programs more than ever. With only a handful of states prioritizing childhood cancer research, too many children will be left in the dark unless we take action.
Insufficient Medicine
Over the last 30 years, only seven drugs have been developed to treat childhood cancer. In the same time, over 200 drugs have been developed for adults. Many adult drugs aren’t safe for children, so it’s crucial to develop drugs specifically for patients with smaller bodies that are still developing.
Progress is Possible
We have success stories we can turn to. Despite having the largest state Medicaid funding per capita — a third of the state budget — Kentucky has allocated more than $36.5 million to childhood cancer research since 2018. This surge in funding has produced countless research studies and real insight into this deadly and mysterious disease.
Goals
Donors raised
$250,000
for ACCO in 2018…
…ACCO’s advocacy program spread to more states, prioritizing childhood cancer across the country…
…State governments agreed to secure more funding for childhood cancer research…
…Within one year,
$25,000,000
new state funds were appropriated for childhood cancer research.
That’s a hundredfold return on investment.
