ACCO’s History of Advocacy
In 2018, the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) identified something troubling: Despite cancer being the leading cause of death by disease in America’s children, only two states in the country were funding childhood cancer research. That same year, thanks to ACCO’s advocacy, Kentucky signed childhood cancer legislation into law, committing a substantial $5 million towards this cause. Ever since, ACCO has been asking one question across the nation: what about kids?
To date, seven states have answered. With legislation passed in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Nebraska, Virginia, and New York, ACCO has secured an astounding $98.8 million for childhood cancer research. There is a crushing disparity in research and treatment innovation between adult cancers and childhood cancers, but state-level legislation can close this gap.
Presently, ACCO is engaged in five more states, working to codify state-based appropriations for childhood cancer research. This work includes the establishment of Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Funds, ensuring a competitive grant process for the distribution of funds.
REGISTERAbout the Symposium
Healthcare professionals, legislators, and people who were personally touched by childhood cancer will all be under one roof at the What About Kids Research & Advocacy Symposium. The goal of the symposium is to present and share the latest research findings, identify new legislative opportunities to expand research funding, and facilitate communication and connection. This ambitious step towards healthcare equity for America’s children is possible thanks to the generous support of the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund. ACCO is deeply grateful.
This activity will provide AMA PRA Category 1 credits™; and continuing education through Norton Healthcare. Norton Healthcare adheres to the Kentucky Medical Association accreditation requirements, as well as the Standards for Integrity and Independence in accredited continuing education.
We believe in equal access to information. Registration is free.
Thanks to the generosity of the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Fund, the $250 registration fee is waived for all participants.
October 10-12, 2024 | The Brown Hotel
335 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202
October 10: Arrival and check-in.
October 11: Full day conference, Networking Event in the evening.
October 12: Half day conference.
Guests will stay at the Brown Hotel. This is also where all symposium events will be held, with the exception of the Networking Event.
ACCO has reserved a room block at a discounted rate of $189 per night. Complimentary airport shuttle is offered by our hotel between the hours of 6:00 am – 11:00 pm. ($40 round trip savings)
BOOK YOUR ROOMSNOTICE: Reserving your room at the Brown Hotel does NOT register you for the symposium. You MUST fill out the registration form before the deadline if you plan to attend.
Speaker Feature:
ACCO is thrilled to announce several top neuroblastoma researchers have confirmed as invited guest speakers at our What About Kids Advocacy and Research Symposium. Weencourage families, clinicians, and researchers with an interest in neuroblastoma to register to attend.
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant tumor of childhood, accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths. Despite advances in the treatment of low-risk neuroblastoma with a cure rate of approximately 90%, the five-year survival rate for high-risk neuroblastoma remains less than 50%.
One of our confirmed neuroblastoma research speakers is Dr. Julie Saba. In a recent publication
of Oncogene (Feb. 27, 2024), Dr. Julie Saba’s team found AF1q, an oncoprotein with established roles in leukemia and some solid tumor progression to also be a universal marker of neuroblastoma tumors. Her lab showed that by silencing AF1q in neuroblastoma cells, they were able to block cancer cell cycle progression, resulting in tumor cell death. Dr. Saba will be sharing her lab’s novel research that provides a potential therapeutic target to better treat and cure high-risk neuroblastoma.
Dr. Julie Saba is a pediatric oncologist at the University of California, San Francisco, where she is a professor of pediatrics and holds the John and Edna Beck Chair of Cancer Research. Dr. Saba attended Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and completed her pediatrics residency, hematology/oncology fellowship, and Ph.D. in cell biology at Duke Medical Center. Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, UCSF’s Catalyst and REAC Programs, and the Swim Across America foundation for cancer research. She is the recipient of the first Eli Lilly and Company Genetic Medicine Grand Challenge.
We encourage you to continue to watch for updates on additional neuroblastoma research experts, as well as brain tumor and other pediatric malignancy renowned researchers who have confirmed to speak at the symposium.