Niagara Leader

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) cosponsored the Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act to ensure patients on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can receive molecular diagnosis testing at the time of their diagnosis, rather than only for recurrent or metastatic cancers. This will enable patients to develop a more targeted approach to their treatment and care plans, allowing for a higher likelihood of successful treatments and improved patient outcomes.

This bipartisan and bicameral bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) and led in the Senate by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

This legislation is named after Finn Sawyer Schafran, a three-year-old avocado-loving, energetic, and intelligent young boy from Syracuse, New York, who tragically lost his hard-fought battle with cancer in 2018.

In August of 2016, Finn was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer in his bladder/prostate. Doctors were hopeful that the standard treatment would be effective, but after enduring an intense 43 weeks of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiation, his initial symptoms returned, indicating the cancer's resurgence. In September 2017, Finn underwent a major surgery to remove his bladder and prostate. Then with an 85% chance of relapse without further chemotherapy, he began a 35-week relapse chemotherapy regimen. In February 2018, a routine scan revealed a new tumor in his abdomen, leading to two all-day surgeries in March of the same year. Despite the heroic efforts of medical professionals, Finn's body struggled with the intense chemotherapy.

In July 2018, his first post-treatment scan showed no signs of cancer, but just six weeks later, two tumors were detected in his pelvic cavity. With no surgical option available due to the spread of cancer, Finn's recovery began while tumor samples were sent to different labs for research. As Finn's condition worsened, he was brought home on Hospice care. Despite alternative therapies and efforts from various labs, the discovered combination of oral chemotherapies proved to be too little, too late. Tragically, Finn eventually lost his courageous battle, passing away on December 2, 2018.

Despite his young age, Finn’s impact on the world continues to be astonishing and long-lasting. This legislation, which is inspired by his life and legacy, will ensure that any future child in his same position has easier and earlier access to molecular diagnostic testing that will improve treatment and care plans for patients.

“I am honored to support the Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act, named after a brave young child from our region who so courageously battled cancer at such a young age,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “His life was tragically cut short by rhabdomyosarcoma, but future lives can be saved by improved and earlier testing. This legislation honors Finn Sawyer's memory and his family's compassionate advocacy by working toward a future where all cancer patients have access to diagnostic tools to develop more specialized and targeted treatment options that improve their healthcare outcomes.”

 “Our grandson, Finn Sawyer Schafran, passed away from cancer just shy of his fourth birthday in 2018. The Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing ACT will allow for patients diagnosed with any type of cancer, from rare cancers to pediatric cancers, to have access to molecular diagnostic testing at initial diagnosis. This will allow for earlier access to targeted cancer therapies. No family should suffer the way our family did at the hands of childhood cancer, and we are committed to working with Rep. Tenney to pass the Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act to honor Finn and to save every child,” said Finn Sawyer Schafran's Grandparents, Mark and Noelle Porretta.

Original source can be found here.