THE LAW, NAMED AFTER CAL SUTTER AND THE ORGANIZATION CAL'S ANGELS, WOULD ENSURE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE CANCER TESTING FOR CHILDREN
St. Charles, IL— Cal’s Law—started by Cal’s Angels and named in honor of Cal Sutter, a South Elgin Little League All-Star diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in 2005—has been passed out of the Illinois House of Representatives and is headed to the Illinois Senate for approval. If passed, Cal’s Law will provide children diagnosed with cancer greater access to Genome/DNA sequencing testing—currently it is offered much less frequently to children than adults. About 10,500 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2021 alone and this legislation would achieve the goal to ensure that children diagnosed with cancer can be approved for comprehensive cancer testing.
Named ‘House Bill 2109,’ the bill passed through the Illinois House of Representatives by freshmen State Representative Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett) and amends the Illinois Insurance Code to require coverage for comprehensive cancer testing and testing of blood or constitutional tissues for cancer predisposition testing. Genome/DNA sequencing testing allows for detailed characterization of genetic mutations that can aid cancer treatment for individuals before the exhausting trials of chemotherapy and radiation. Due to lack of access to this type of testing, there are cases of children undergoing extensive chemotherapy unnecessarily, when it would never cure their cancer.
Cal’s Law is the result of bipartisan coordination between legislative leaders and members of the freshmen class of the 102nd General Assembly. Its chief co-sponsors include both House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and Speaker of the House Chris Welch, in addition to a long, bipartisan list of cosponsors.
House Bill 2109 passed the Illinois House of Representatives on a unanimous roll call and now heads to the Senate for consideration. You can follow the status of the legislation by clicking on this link.
Since the culmination in 2007, Cal’s Angels has raised nearly $16 million, providing support and research funding for pediatric cancer patients and their families. While the organization’s namesake, Cal Sutter, tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2006, his courage and concern for other cancer patients inspired the establishment of Cal’s Angels.
“Cal’s life was all too short, but thanks to the efforts of many, his legacy will live on. This bill would be a vital step for the many families fighting pediatric cancer in Illinois,” said Cal’s Angels Board Chairman Ryan Phillips. “Thank you to Representative Lewis for taking up this important work and fighting for kids with cancer.”
About Cal’s Angels
Cal’s Angels is a St. Charles, Illinois based 501(c)(3) pediatric cancer foundation established in 2007 after Cal Sutter lost his battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in 2006. During his treatment, Cal always cared about others before himself. His kindness was the inspiration behind a foundation that would grant wishes, raise awareness and fund research to help kids fighting cancer. Cal's Angels has many programs that help kids fighting cancer, including Wish Granting/Financial Assistance, 12 Days of Christmas, Fantasy Flight, Comfort Kits and monthly Hospital Parties. Join us to help kids fighting cancer!
To learn more about the many ways to help, visit calsangels.org and follow @CalsAngels on social media.
--
