Senator Yaw Supports Plan to Establish a New Funding Stream for Pediatric Cancer Research

HARRISBURG – More than $100 million in private donations over the next 10 years could be raised to support childhood cancer research under a bill supported by Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) and passed today by the full Pennsylvania Senate.

Senate Bill 74 establishes a tax credit program for qualifying donations to a Pennsylvania pediatric cancer research hospital. The program would be capped at $10 million per year over the next 10 years.

More children die from cancer than any other disease, and currently, only 4 percent of National Cancer Institute research dollars are spent on pediatric cancer.  Since 1975, pediatric cancer incidence rates have increased every year.

The Senate vote today is part of a series of actions designed to save the lives of children. Act 73 of 2018 allowed Pennsylvanians to donate $5 to the Pediatric Cancer Research Fund when electronically renewing a driver’s license, photo identification card or vehicle registration. Act 39 of 2017 created space on state tax forms for taxpayers to voluntarily designate a contribution for pediatric cancer research.

Senate Bill 74 will now go to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

For more state-related news and information visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com  or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.

CONTACT:

Nick Troutman

(717) 787-3280

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