Senator Crapo’s cancer bill heads to President Obama’s desk

Idaho Sen.Mike Crapo, a two-time cancer survivor, helped pass a federal cancer bill through the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

The bill, called Trevor’s Law, is seven years in the making.

Trevor Schaefer , 13, of Boise is a brain cancer survivor.

Trevor and his mother brought cancer cluster legislation Senator Crapo back in 2009.

If the bill is signed into law, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention would track cancer clusters.

This requires the CDC to put every reported cancer case on a map.

The map would show how many cancer cases are in specific communities.

If the number is above average, the CDC then would notify the state, which would then investigate the area.

This would allow agencies to find if an environmental issue is linked to cancer cases.

In a statement Trevor Schaefer said:

“We originally began working on Trevor’s Law in 2009 with the goal of increasing environmental protection for our children and communities. We have been very fortunate to have had the pleasure of directly working with two great Senators and their staff on this arduous endeavor, California Senator Barbara Boxer and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo .

“With their tenacity and support, Trevor’s Law found a new home last year when it was attached to the Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (TSCA). I am so pleased to announce that after seven long years of fighting for environmental justice the voices of all of our children and communities have been heard.”

“We will now be able to more effectively and efficiently identify cancer clusters throughout the United States and uncover why such cancer clusters exist. I would like to additionally thank Senators James Inhofe, David Vitter, Tom Udall and all of the other senators, congressmen and women, and their staff members who have worked tirelessly to update this 40 year old TSCA bill.”

“Finally, I would like to express my utmost gratitude for the late Senator Frank Lautenberg, who was a true environmental crusader. Senator Lautenberg once told me to keep fighting the fight and I am honored to have Trevor’s Law included in this historic piece of legislation named after him.”

“The passage of Trevor’s Law is a significant milestone in how cancer clusters will be identified, monitored and treated in the United States,” said Crapo . “Every American, directly or indirectly, has been affected in some form by cancer and this legislation is another tool to continue fighting against this disease. Further, the passage of Trevor’s Law is a testament to the determination and commitment of many people – including Trevor Schaefer and his mother, Charlie Smith – in never giving up to turn their plans into a law that will benefit everyone across America.”

The bill is now in the hands of President Obama. If he signs the bill into law, it would update the 40-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act.