Springfield, IL- U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) yesterday announced the introduction of the Jonny Wade Pediatric Cancer Research Act (H.R. 2234) at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital and toured the pediatric oncology floor. Davis was joined by the Wade family from Jerseyville who lost their 8-year-old son, Jonny Wade, to brain cancer Christmas Eve 2015 and doctors from HSHS St. John’s Hospital and SIU Medicine.
"Jonny was a remarkable young man, unwavering in his faith and mission to spare all children from cancer," said Davis. "Cancer is the second leading cause of death for children, yet, only four percent of cancer research funds go to children. The Jonny Wade Pediatric Cancer Research Act will continue Jonny's mission and increase funding for pediatric cancer research. I am honored to announce this legislation alongside Jonny's mom and dad, Kim and Jon, and his twin brother Jacky, who have been tireless advocates for pediatric cancer research since Jonny was diagnosed, and I will continue to fight for this cause in Congress."
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
"As a mother who had her eight-year-old twin son die of brain cancer on Christmas Eve 2015, less than a year after his diagnosis, this legislation is extremely important to me and thousands of other parents who have heard their physician say 'Your child has cancer'," said Kimberly Wade, Jonny's mom and founder of the Kids Shouldn't Have Cancer Foundation. "Today, over 820 children will be diagnosed with cancer. Devastatingly, 250 of these children will die today and every day thereafter. My sweet son, Jonny, was one of them. Our children need help for their voices to be heard. As my son, Jonny, said before he passed, 'If they want me to be a man, they have to help me be a man.' I would like to thank Congressman Rodney Davis for his leadership on this cause and for continuing Jonny's mission."
“We see many kids every year at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital with pediatric cancer,”said Dr. Douglas Carlson, medical director HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital. “Anything we can do to help support pediatric cancer research will ultimately benefit all of us. They are the future of our communities, and we should be investing in them.”
Kimberly and Jon Wade are the founders of the Kids Shouldn’t Have Cancer Foundation in Memory of Jonny Wade. Last June, Kimberly Wade had an op-ed published in The State Journal-Register highlighting federal legislation that has been signed into law to help children with cancer.
Davis’ bill would eliminate the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which has not been used by any major party candidate since 2008, and transfer the $372.8 Million balance to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund. Additionally, State Senator Steve McClure discussed his bill SB 946, which creates a special license plate to raise funds for pediatric cancer research.
Background
Davis first met Jonny Wade in October 2015. Jonny advocated for more funding for pediatric cancer. Davis invited Jonny to come to DC, but unfortunately Jonny passed away before he was able to make the trip. After his passing, Davis invited his mom and dad, Kimberly and Jon, and his twin brother Jacky to be his guests at President Obama’s last State of the Union (SOTU) to raise awareness for pediatric cancer funding. More than 100 lawmakers wore Team Jonny wristbands in the Capitol that night and Jacky met President Obama. Learn more on Davis’ Medium post.
Medical research has been a priority for Davis in Congress. He helped secure the largest increases in funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 15 years.
More like this:
