The resolution recognizes the children and families affected by neuroblastoma and the clinicians and researchers working to develop better treatments and, ultimately, a cure, according to a news release from Chu’s office.
It was inspired by Mikaela Hong, a La Cañada High School senior, neuroblastoma patient and founder of the Pediatric Hope Project, who has turned her own experience with the disease into advocacy for children and families facing pediatric cancer, the release said. Chu presented Hong with her 2026 Youth of the Year award at her annual Congressional Leadership of the Year ceremony on Aug. 15.
“Mikaela Hong has shown extraordinary courage and determination in turning her own experience with neuroblastoma into action for other children and families,” Chu said. “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.”
Neuroblastoma, a cancer that arises in immature nerve cells, is the most common cancer in infants and the most common solid tumor outside the brain in children. Roughly 600 to 800 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year, and about 90 percent are diagnosed before age 5, according to the release and the American Cancer Society. The release puts neuroblastoma at 8 to 10 percent of childhood cancers and about 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths; the American Cancer Society’s figure is about 6 percent of cancers in children under 15.
Children with high-risk disease often undergo chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, stem cell transplantation and immunotherapy, and survivors can face lifelong health complications, while those with high-risk or relapsed disease still have limited effective treatment options, the release said.
Hong has faced that course herself. Diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma as a young child and a patient for the past seven years, she became an advocate for greater awareness, research and support for children with cancer and other serious illnesses, and she works as a research assistant in the Neuroblastoma Basic and Translational Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, according to the release.
“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,” Hong said. “I hope this day helps more families feel seen and brings more attention to the need for better treatments and a cure.”
The Pediatric Hope Project, which Hong founded, provides free, virtual, one-on-one tutoring and emotional support to K-12 students with cancer and other serious illnesses. In about a year and a half, the organization has grown to serve families in more than 43 states and nine countries, with more than 600 registered tutors and 30 university chapters, the release said.
The federal resolution follows a state version Hong helped secure. Working with state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, whose district includes Pasadena, Hong and the Pediatric Hope Project backed Senate Resolution 128, which recognizes Sept. 3 as California Neuroblastoma Awareness Day. The state Senate adopted it on Aug. 13 by a 37-0 vote, according to legislative records.
Kelly, co-chair of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus and the House Cancer Caucus, said an official awareness day gives lawmakers and communities a chance to elevate public understanding, foster early detection and support families navigating a difficult diagnosis.
The resolution is timed to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, observed each September. Dr. Araz Marachelian, medical director of the Neuroblastoma MIBG Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, called the day “an important opportunity to raise national awareness of one of the most complex childhood cancers” and to reaffirm the hospital’s commitment to research and expanded access to new therapies, according to the release.
Endorsers listed by Chu’s office include Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, City of Hope, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Stanford Medicine Children’s Hospital, Rady Children’s Hospital, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles and Hyundai Hope On Wheels, among others.
The full text of the resolution is posted at https://www.google.com/url?q=
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