Reps. Chu and Kelly Introduce Resolution to Designate September 3 as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day

Resolution builds on California effort led by La Cañada High School student and Pediatric Hope Project founder Mikaela Hong

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16) introduced a resolution to designate September 3, 2026, as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day, recognizing the children and families affected by neuroblastoma and the clinicians and researchers working to develop better treatments and ultimately find a cure.

The resolution was inspired by Mikaela Hong, a La Cañada High School student, neuroblastoma patient and survivor, and founder of the Pediatric Hope Project, who has turned her own experience with neuroblastoma into advocacy for children and families facing pediatric cancer. Hong received Rep. Chu's 2026 Youth of the Year Award in recognition for her advocacy.

"Mikaela Hong has shown extraordinary courage and determination in turning her own experience with neuroblastoma into action for other children and families," said Rep. Chu. "Neuroblastoma remains one of the most difficult childhood cancers to treat, and far too many families face limited treatment options and uncertain outcomes. I am incredibly proud to work with Mikaela to bring this effort to the national level. By recognizing September 3 as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day, we can honor every child and family affected by this devastating disease, recognize the doctors and researchers working tirelessly on their behalf, and bring greater attention to the urgent need for continued research and better treatments."

"Establishing an official Neuroblastoma Awareness Day resolution gives lawmakers and communities the opportunity to help elevate public understanding, foster early detection, and offer meaningful support to families navigating this difficult diagnosis," said Rep. Mike Kelly, Co-Chair of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus. "It is critical to spur the development of safer, more effective treatments and ultimately giving young patients a better chance at a healthy future. As a Co-Chair of both the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus and the House Cancer Caucus, I'm proud to support efforts in Congress that advance lifesaving pediatric cancer research and help ensure doctors and researchers have the tools they need to develop better treatments and, ultimately, find cures."

Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants and the most common solid tumor outside the brain in children. Approximately 600 to 800 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, and roughly 90 percent of cases are diagnosed before age five. Despite accounting for only 8 to 10 percent of childhood cancers, neuroblastoma is responsible for approximately 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths.

Children with high-risk neuroblastoma often undergo intensive treatment involving chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, stem cell transplantation, and immunotherapy. Even after treatment, survivors can face significant lifelong health complications, while children with high-risk or relapsed neuroblastoma continue to have limited effective treatment options.

"Neuroblastoma has been part of my life since I was very young, so I know firsthand how hard this disease is for children and their families. This is why having September 3 recognized as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day means so much to me. I'm incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Chu for helping bring more attention to neuroblastoma, a cancer that most people still know very little about. I hope this day helps more families feel seen and brings more attention to the need for better treatments and a cure," said Mikaela Hong, Founder & Executive Director of Pediatric Hope Project, Founder of the National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day initiative, and seven-year neuroblastoma patient.

Hong has experienced these challenges firsthand. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma six years ago, she became an advocate for greater awareness, research, and support for children facing cancer and other serious illnesses. She also works as a research assistant in the Neuroblastoma Basic and Translational Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she has gained firsthand experience with research into new treatments for the disease.

Hong founded the Pediatric Hope Project, which provides free, virtual, one-on-one tutoring and emotional support to K-12 students with cancer and other serious illnesses. In just a year and a half, the organization has grown to serve families across more than 43 states and nine countries, with more than 600 registered tutors and 30 university chapters.

Rep. Chu's resolution builds on Hong's successful advocacy in California. Working closely with California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Hong and the Pediatric Hope Project helped secure passage of California Senate Resolution 128, which officially recognizes September 3 as California Neuroblastoma Awareness Day. Rep. Chu's resolution would bring that effort to the national level by calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize September 3, 2026, as Neuroblastoma Awareness Day.

"During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day is an important opportunity to raise national awareness of one of the most complex childhood cancers and reaffirm our commitment at Children's Hospital Los Angeles to advancing research, expanding access to innovative therapies and improving outcomes for children and families affected by this disease." - Araz Marachelian, MD, MS, Medical Director of the Neuroblastoma MIBG Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

"Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is proud to support the resolution recognizing September 3 as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day. Greater awareness of neuroblastoma is important to advancing research, improving treatment options, and supporting the children and families affected by this challenging disease. We are grateful for the opportunity to help bring greater national attention to neuroblastoma and the continued need for progress." - Dr. Stephen P. Hunger, Chief of the Division of Oncology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA.

"Neuroblastoma is the most common childhood malignant solid tumor. Hundreds of patients and their families are fighting this aggressive tumor daily with heart and bravery. We come together to recognize September 3rd as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day in solidarity with patients, families and the medical community." - Dr Hung C. Tran, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope National Cancer Center

"Neuroblastoma is one of the most common and aggressive solid tumors affecting children, accounting for a significant number of childhood cancer deaths each year. While remarkable progress has been made in pediatric cancer research, far too many children still face difficult treatments, long-term side effects, and uncertain outcomes. National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day serves as an important opportunity to raise awareness, honor those impacted, and renew our commitment to finding safer and more effective cures. In honor of some of our country's youngest cancer fighters, the St. Baldrick's Foundation is proud to support Representative Chu in designating September 3rd as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day." - Rosalie Abbott, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, St. Baldrick's Foundation

"National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness of a rare and challenging childhood cancer and to recognize the strength of the patients and families affected by it. Continued awareness is critical to advancing research, improving treatment options and outcomes, and ensuring that every child diagnosed with neuroblastoma has the best possible chance for a healthy future. It is a day to honor the extraordinary effort of patients and their families who face this disease with remarkable fortitude, a day to reaffirm our commitment as health care professionals and researchers to continue to strive towards cures with the least possible toxicities for our patients." - Dr. Shakeel Modak, MD, Chief of the Neuroblastoma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

"National recognition of the lives impacted and lost to Neuroblastoma is critical. We wholly encourage a national day of recognition which the hundreds of Neuroblastoma families in the US will whole heartedly support." - Susan Giusto, Chair NANT Parent Advisor Council

"Neuroblastoma remains one of the most challenging childhood cancers to treat, especially for patients with metastatic disease or high-risk types of disease. While advances in therapy, including stem cell transplant, focal radiation treatments including proton therapy, plus recent advances in immunotherapy, have improved outcomes for some patients, survival rates for high-risk and relapsed cases remain unacceptably low. Early diagnosis and timely referral to specialized centers are critical to improving prognosis, yet awareness of neuroblastoma, particularly in older children, is still pretty limited. A nationally recognized awareness day would surely help elevate public understanding of this disease, promote earlier detection, and underscore the ongoing need for continued research and improved therapies for children affected by this disease." - Dr. Brian Chou, MD, Assistant Professor of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences at UC San Diego and Co-Director of the Rady Children's Hospital Pediatric Proton Clinical Program

"By establishing a nationally recognized awareness day, Congress would bring important visibility to this rare and devastating disease. This recognition would promote earlier diagnosis, highlight the need for continued research and innovation in treatment, and honor the children and families affected by neuroblastoma across the United States. A National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day would also strengthen efforts to improve access to advanced therapies and clinical trials, ensuring that more children have the opportunity to benefit from cutting-edge treatments." - Dr. Iain Macewan, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Radiation Oncology, UC San Diego; Associate Medical Director, California Proton Therapy Center; Pediatric Radiation Oncologist, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego

"Expanding this effort to a national level would significantly strengthen opportunities for children across the United States to access appropriate care, cutting-edge therapies, and clinical trials. Increased awareness and advocacy are essential to advancing research, improving access to innovative treatments, and supporting families affected by this devastating disease. By establishing a nationally recognized Neuroblastoma Awareness Day, Congress would bring

much-needed attention to this childhood cancer and to the children and families who face it with extraordinary courage. This designation would also hopefully reinforce the United States government's commitment to advancing pediatric cancer research and providing the needed resources for the critical research and the discovery and development of novel therapies to improve outcomes for these young patients nationwide." - Dr. Peter E. Zage, MD, PhD, Associate Professor-in-Residence in Pediatric Oncology, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center; Attending Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego; Principal Investigator, Zage Laboratory

"Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research is proud to support this resolution recognizing Neuroblastoma Awareness Day. Neuroblastoma represents a disproportionate share of childhood cancer deaths. While neuroblastoma research has progressed since Rally Foundation's founding in 2005, children with high-risk or relapsed disease still face far too few effective treatment options. Greater awareness can help build the public will and investment necessary to accelerate research, advance new therapies and give more children the chance to survive and thrive." - Dean Crowe, Founder and CEO of Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

"We strongly endorse the resolution to establish a national Neuroblastoma Day. Though we have doubled the cure rate of neuroblastoma in the past 25 years, we still are unable to cure about the half the children with this devastating disease, despite receiving amongst the harshest regimens of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, cellular therapy and surgery. Thank you for your work on drawing attention to neuroblastoma and bringing us closer to curing all children with cancer." - Dr. Brian Weiss MD, Nora Letzter Professor of Pediatrics, IU Health Foundation Master Clinician Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children

"Neuroblastoma remains one of the most devastating diagnoses in pediatric oncology - children with high-risk disease face survival odds below 50%, and survivors endure lifelong health problems due to the intensive therapy. Despite being the most common cancer diagnosed in infants, it remains largely unknown to the public, limiting the research funding and support families need. A National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day would help these children and families be seen, and build momentum toward the research investment needed to change these outcomes." - Dr. Stephen S. Roberts, MD, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital Division Head, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Robert C. Neerhout Chair of Pediatric Oncology, Associate Director for Pediatric Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute

"We hope that the creation of National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day helps those facing Neuroblastoma find hope, strength, and joy. Something every child facing a critical illness deserves." - Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles

"The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is honored to recognize National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day and stand alongside the children, families, researchers, and advocates impacted by this disease. Raising awareness is an important step, but we must turn that awareness into action- accelerating research, advancing more effective treatments, and creating brighter futures for every child facing neuroblastoma." - Danielle Fragalla, CEO, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

"For many families, neuroblastoma enters their lives suddenly and changes everything. While progress has been made, too many children still face intensive treatment and uncertain outcomes. This resolution is an important step toward raising awareness, supporting families, and advancing the research needed to develop safer, more effective therapies and improve outcomes for every child diagnosed with this disease." - Suzanne Shusterman, MD, Medical Director of the Jimmy Fund Clinic, Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center

"Stanford Medicine Children's Health is proud to support the resolution recognizing September 3 as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day. Raising awareness of neuroblastoma is essential to advancing research, improving treatment options, and supporting the children and families affected by this disease. We are grateful for the opportunity to help bring greater national attention to neuroblastoma and the continued need for progress." - Stanford Children's Hospital

Rep. Chu's resolution recognizes the extraordinary resilience and courage of children and families fighting neuroblastoma and the efforts of clinicians and researchers working to address the disease. It also highlights the need for continued research and therapeutic development, including emerging treatments under investigation for children with relapsed disease.

The resolution is endorsed by Band of Parents, Children's Cancer Cause, Children's Cancer Research Fund, Children's Hospital Colorado, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, City of Hope, Corporate Angel Network, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Friends of Cathryn Foundation, Hyundai Hope On Wheels, Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, National Brain Tumor Society, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, Pediatric Hope Project, Rady Children's Hospital, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Riley Hospital for Children, Stanford Medicine Children's Hospital, St. Baldrick's Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Stupid Cancer, The Andrew McDonough B+® Foundation, The First Night Project.

The full text of the resolution is available HERE.