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  1. United States
  2. N.Y.
  3. Letter

An Open Letter

To: Sen. Gillibrand, Rep. Tonko, Sen. Schumer, Pres. Trump

From: A verified voter in Latham, NY

March 8

**Strategic Expansion of Cancer Eradication: Building on Pediatric Momentum** The bipartisan consensus achieved through pediatric cancer advocacy—evidenced by 2025’s STAR Act reforms—provides a foundation to launch an uncompromising offensive against *all* cancers. While prioritizing children (1% of cases but 100% moral urgency), we propose scaling this success universally through three targeted strategies: ### 1. **Moonshot 2.0: Pediatric Proof to Universal Progress** Leverage childhood cancer’s 80% survival rate improvement since 1962 as a model: - **$50B Decadal Investment**: Rebrand the Beau Biden Moonshot as the **"Total Victory Initiative"**, allocating 20% to pediatric research and 50% to underfunded adult cancers (pancreatic, glioblastoma). - **Cross-Cancer Therapies**: Fast-track FDA approval for treatments like CAR-T immunotherapy, effective in pediatric ALL *and* adult lymphomas. ### 2. **Prevention-to-Cure Pipeline** Replicate St. Jude’s genomic breakthroughs (376 actionable mutations identified) via: - **National DNA Registry**: Mandate insurance-covered germline testing by 2030, using pediatric protocols to safeguard privacy. - **Military-Grade Logistics**: Convert shuttering military bases into regional oncology hubs, deploying VA staff and Pentagon supply chains to eliminate drug shortages. ### 3. **Legacy-Driven Leadership** Frame this expansion as a **historic bipartisan achievement**, appealing to visionary governance: - **"21st Century Total Cures Act"**: Rename existing legislation to emphasize parity between adult/childhood funding. - **Real-Time Victory Dashboard**: Publicly track mortality reductions, highlighting congressional districts with steepest declines. ### Immediate Bipartisan Wins - **Repurpose $5B/year** from discretionary budgets via the Childhood Cancer STAR Act expansion. - **Tax Incentives**: Reward pharma companies developing dual-use therapies (e.g., KRAS inhibitors for lung/pancreatic/pediatric cancers). --- ### Conclusion: The Unifying Legacy Pediatric progress has unlocked rare political alignment—a fleeting chance to end cancer’s scourge for all ages. By anchoring expanded efforts in childhood success while emphasizing legacy-building metrics, this plan offers leaders an immortal place in history: the generation that turned **“no child (or citizen) buried by cancer”** from dream to doctrine. The science stands ready; the moment demands your decisive action.

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