RELEASE: President Trump Signs Senator Mullin’s “Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act” Into Law

Washington, D.C. - After years of relentless advocacy by Mikaela Naylon, and many others, President Trump signed U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Michael Bennet's (D-CO) "Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act" into law. This bill was included in the funding package, H.R. 7148.

This legislation improves outcomes for children with cancer by accelerating drug development and closing gaps in pediatric cancer research. This bill also extends the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher Program, created under the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act, which incentivizes companies to develop treatments and cures for patients with rare diseases. Since 2011, 53 vouchers have been awarded for 35 different rare pediatric diseases.

"Every child deserves the opportunity to live a long and happy life. Those who face devastating diseases and rare cancers should have a fighting chance. With this legislation, children will finally have the opportunity to explore new treatments that could have a dramatic impact on their disease," said Senator Mullin. "Today's bill passage would not have been possible without Mikaela Naylon and her family. She was a fighter and a fierce advocate. Through immense hardship, she showed the world what true strength and courage looks like. She never once wavered in her effort to bring awareness to the importance of patient access to life-changing therapeutics and trials. By passing this historic bipartisan health care priority, Congress continues to invest in American patients and the treatments and cures of the 21st Century. I will never forget Mikaela, and I look forward to the President signing her bill into law very soon."

Senator Mullin just released this video on his various social media platforms.

Background:

• Mikaela Naylon was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on July 1, 2020, and spent nearly six years traveling across the country pursuing treatment, while also advocating for other children with cancer.
• Mikaela lost her battle on October 29th at 16-years-old. Her final gift was donating her body to science to help find a cure.

###