The U.S. government classifies neuroblastoma as an "orphan", or rare disease. An orphan or rare disease is generally considered to have a prevalence of fewer than 200,000 affected individuals in the United States.

Diseases with a relatively small patient population are at a significant disadvantage in the competition for resources to support research and clinical trials. There are about 6,800 "orphan" diseases recognized by the U.S. government, affecting almost 25 million people in the U.S.. Needless to say the competition for research funding is intense.

This is critical for us because research and clinical trials are the foundation of all progress toward a cure. It is vital to us that each one of our voices be heard in support of those individuals and institutions involved in finding better treatment protocols, and eventually a cure, for neuroblastoma.

Both government and private sector funding is key. Please let your voice be joined to ours to make the urgency of research funding visible to the important decision makers in, and outside, of government.

To make it easier for your voice to be heard, below you will find links to these decision makers. Many of them can be contacted by email. When you find a little extra time, please contact them. Tell them your story, and plead with them to give priority to our cause.