Us Congress House Bill HR419

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/15/25
• Refer: 5/15/25

Caption

Expressing support for the designation of May 17, 2025, as "DIPG Awareness Day" to raise awareness and encourage research into cures for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and pediatric cancers in general.

Impact

The resolution encourages the federal government to enhance funding for research into pediatric cancers, particularly those with as high a mortality rate as DIPG. By designating a specific day for awareness, it seeks to mobilize resources and advocacy that could lead to improved treatment options and support for affected families. The call for increased research funding aims to close the gap in understanding and treating this devastating disease, which has not seen significant advances in prognosis for over four decades.

Summary

House Resolution 419 expresses support for the designation of May 17, 2025, as 'DIPG Awareness Day.' This resolution aims to raise awareness about diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a severe type of pediatric brain cancer that significantly impacts children's health. Each year, DIPG is diagnosed in 200 to 400 children in the U.S., making it the second most common malignant brain tumor in childhood. The resolution highlights the need for increased public awareness and understanding of this condition, especially concerning the dire prognosis, which indicates a median survival time of only nine months post-diagnosis and a less than one percent five-year survival rate.

Contention

Some notable points of contention may arise around the allocation of research funding and prioritization of pediatric cancers like DIPG, as compared to adult cancers. Advocates for DIPG research argue that the current levels of funding do not adequately reflect the urgent need for effective treatments and the loss of life associated with this disease. This reflects a broader concern within the medical and research communities regarding the disparities in funding across different cancer types, emphasizing the necessity for legislative support to drive attention and resources to pediatric oncology.