Santa Monica resident Kaitlyn Lee is encouraging Californians to donate to childhood cancer research by checking a box on their state tax returns this season.
Lee, executive director of the Society of Emerging Leaders within the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, became a cancer advocate after her brother was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 16. After more than three years of chemotherapy and clinical trial participation, her brother is now in remission.
"The fund needs to raise at least $250,000 this tax season to stay on the tax form," Lee said. "Whether it's $1 or $1,000, every donation makes a difference."
The voluntary donation option was established through Assembly Bill 703, signed into law last July. SEL member Sahil Mehta, who lost his older brother to cancer, worked with Assemblymember Alex Lee to introduce the legislation.
Cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death for children in the United States, with one in five diagnosed children not surviving. Less than 8 percent of the federal government's cancer research budget goes toward childhood cancer, and private industry has little financial incentive to invest in research for the smaller patient population.
Lee served as Mehta's co-campaign lead, drafting the ACS CAN petition and leading statewide distribution efforts.
"I want every child to be able to benefit from the latest scientific breakthroughs like my brother had, and this fund will move us closer to that goal," she said.
For more information, visit FightCancer.org/California.
Edited by SMDP Staff