Davis Reintroduces the Jonny Wade Pediatric Cancer Research Act

Press Release

Last week, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) reintroduced H.R. 3032, the Jonny Wade Pediatric Cancer Research Act. The legislation eliminates taxpayer financing of presidential elections and transfers the balance of the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund. H.R. 3032 is named in honor of the late Jonny Wade of Jerseyville, an 8-year-old who passed away in 2015 following a battle with brain cancer.

"Jonny Wade was a remarkable young man, unwavering in his faith and mission to make sure no child has cancer," said Rep. 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 hopes to change that by increasing federal support for pediatric cancer research. I am honored to again introduce this legislation with the Wade family so we can continue Jonny's mission and beat pediatric cancer once and for all."

"This legislation would give thousands of children with cancer a chance at life. 6 months before my 8-year-old son, Jonny passed, he said (speaking of Congress) "if they want me to be a man, they have to help me be a man'. Passing this legislation would in fact do just this; help children grow up into amazing adults." - said Kimberly Wade, Jonny's mom and founder of the Kids Shouldn't Have Cancer Foundation.

Davis's bill would eliminate the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which has not been used by any major party candidate since 2008, and transfer the $391.5 million balance to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund, to fund research into pediatric diseases, including cancer. You can find the legislative text here.

Kimberly and Jon Wade are the founders of the Kids Shouldn't Have Cancer Foundation in Memory of Jonny Wade. In 2018, 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.

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 about their visit to DC in a 2016 Medium post from Davis.

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.

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