Congressional Briefing: Ensuring Sustained Federal Support for Pediatric Cancer Research and Survivorship
February 26, 2026
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET
US Capitol Visitors Center
Room HVC-201
1st St SE, Washington, DC
The American Association for Cancer Research, in partnership with St. Baldrick’s Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, will host a congressional briefing highlighting how federally funded research is transforming outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer—and how policymakers can help shape the future of pediatric cancer research. Through expert insights and lived experiences, this session will spotlight the critical role of federal government programs and policies in catalyzing progress against pediatric cancers as well as how bipartisan congressional support for key legislation can significantly advance pediatric cancer research, drug development, and improve the lives of pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Moderator:
Charles W. M. Roberts, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Director of the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center; AACR Pediatric Cancer Progress Report Steering Committee
Panelists:
Jack Shern, MD, Lasker Clinical Research Scholar, Pediatric Oncology Branch and Scientific Director, Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, National Cancer Institute
Danielle D. Leach, MPA, Patient Advocate, Mom to Mason; Co-Chair Emeritus, Alliance for Childhood Cancer; DDLeach Consulting
Matthew J. Ehrhardt, MD, MS, Associate Member, St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center
Scott Lenfestey, Patient Advocate, St. Baldrick’s Foundation
