A couple of years ago, during my time as a member of the House, I spoke to a group of medical professionals at Ste. Francois Medical Center. After the meeting, I happened to strike up a conversation with a woman named Amy Aldridge, whose daughter, Sahara, was diagnosed with a brain tumor on her 12th birthday. As we spoke, I was struck by the mother’s resilience in the face of such a heart-breaking situation.

Senate Bill 35, which I filed this session, came about from my desire to do something to help children battling cancer. The bill creates an income tax return check-off program for donations to CureSearch for Children’s Cancer.

There are few people who haven’t been touched by cancer, whether personally or by watching a loved one struggle against this horrible disease. It’s a devastating experience, but even more so when it’s a child.

Unfortunately, there’s a relative lack of research focused on childhood cancer. It is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and 15 years old. Today’s pediatric cancer patients are still treated with drugs that were developed in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The FDA has only approved one new drug exclusively for child patients in the past 20 years. The overall survival rate of childhood cancer has remained unchanged since 1998.

Pediatric cancers are often more aggressive than adult cancers. One in four children who are diagnosed with cancer in the United States will die within five years of their diagnosis, which is why it’s so critical that we fund research initiatives that focus on childhood cancer. Sadly, this has not been the case.  

For every dollar of public support the American Cancer Society receives, just one cent is directed to childhood cancer research. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society donates two cents to every dollar it receives. Over the past five years, the National Cancer Institute has directed less than 4 percent of its total budget to pediatric cancer.

These are sobering statistics that highlight the need for supporting pediatric cancer research. Senate Bill 35 by no means solves the problem, but it’s a solid step in the right direction. I was grateful my colleagues in the Senate recognized the importance of this issue. The bill was given first-round approval on Monday and now moves to the House for possible debate.  

Sahara ultimately lost her battle to cancer just seventeen months after the tumor was first discovered. Since then, her parents, Amy and Shannon Aldridge, have become tireless advocates for pediatric cancer research. Amy testified in favor of the bill during the committee hearing on the legislation. I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Aldridge’s for their support on this measure. There’s nothing that can allay the grief of a parent who’s lost their child, but I hope there’s some small comfort in knowing Sahara’s memory might live on through this beneficial program.

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write me at Wayne Wallingford; Missouri Senate; State Capitol; Jefferson City, Mo. 65101, or email at wayne.wallingford@senate.mo.gov or www.senate.mo.gov/wallingford.

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