Family Advocates for Pediatric Cancer Reform

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Each year, more than fifteen thousand children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer, according to the CDC.

For families like the Browns of Chicago, the diagnosis brings a sudden and overwhelming reality.

Six-year-old Alexander Brown was diagnosed in 2023 with high-risk medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor in his cerebellum, the area controlling balance and coordination.

He underwent emergency surgery, full brain-and-spine radiation, and multiple rounds of chemotherapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Later, he joined a clinical trial aimed at reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.

Alexander’s parents, Matt and Christy, have shared his story publicly to help other families recognize early warning signs, navigate treatment options, and advocate for their children’s care.

“We want to help other families understand what’s possible and how to fight for their children,” Matt said.

The family recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for H.R. 1262, the Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025.

Next week, the House will vote to pass H.R. 1262, which supporters say would expand pediatric cancer treatment options.

Supporters say the legislation could transform pediatric cancer treatment nationwide by expanding access to clinical trials and accelerating drug development for rare childhood diseases.

The Act’s main provisions include:

• Expanded clinical trial access: Children can participate in combination trials, including targeted medicines, giving them more treatment options.
• Drug development incentives: The Pediatric Priority Review Voucher program is extended, encouraging pharmaceutical companies to invest in therapies for pediatric conditions.
• Closing research gaps: Companies are required to study how new therapies apply to children, ensuring pediatric-specific drug research isn’t overlooked.
• Integration with other initiatives: The bill merges with the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act to strengthen incentives for rare pediatric disease drug development.

H.R. 1262 is backed by lawmakers across party lines and has garnered widespread support. One local champion is Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, who posted on social media:

“Every child deserves a chance to beat cancer, and we should never allow bloated big government bureaucracy to slow down the development…”, expressing his support for expanding treatment options for children.

For children like Alexander, who have undergone intense treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy, the bill represents more than policy: it’s a lifeline.

More clinical trial options, better-targeted therapies, and a stronger safety net for rare pediatric cancers could change outcomes for countless families.

The Browns hope their story will help drive awareness, funding, and legislative action so that other families don’t have to navigate this alone.

Alexander continues to undergo regular scans at St. Jude. 

His parents say that, through advocacy and the passage of H.R. 1262, future generations of children diagnosed with cancer may have access to more research, better treatments, and brighter futures.