Direct Contributions to Cancer Research
California this year enacted legislation allowing taxpayers to donate state tax return funds toward the fight against pediatric cancer. Assembly Bill 703 provides a pathway for California taxpayers to channel their contributions specifically toward pediatric cancer research. The state began collecting contributions in January 2026 following the bill’s signing in July 2025.
The fundraising mechanism is modeled after the California Cancer Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund that has raised millions of dollars for cancer research since 2015.
Addressing a Funding Gap
Pediatric cancer is a leading cause of disease-related death among children. Despite this, just 8 percent of federal research funding is dedicated to pediatric cancer, a disparity likely stemming from the smaller patient population, and complexity of pediatric cancer research and treatment.
Assembly Bill 703 aims to address the gap in funding by allowing taxpayers to direct contributions specifically to pediatric cancer research through the creation of the California Pediatric Cancer Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund. Donations to the fund are appropriated to the Regents of the University of California for grants relating to pediatric cancer research and community-based initiatives, and to the Franchise Tax Board for administrative costs.
A Renewed Focus on Pediatric Cancer
Pediatric cancer is increasingly a priority at the federal level as well. The AACI-endorsed Give Kids a Chance Act, a bipartisan bill signed into law in February 2026, expands the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authority to ensure clinical trials include adequate pediatric representation, with goals of accelerating pediatric drug development and increasing access to treatment for children.
Together, these state and federal efforts reflect a growing investment in pediatric cancer research that will be instrumental in improving health outcomes and available treatment options for pediatric patients.