Trump Signs Order On Research For Pediatric Cancer
In a moment that managed to blend policy, poignancy, and presidential levity, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping Executive Order this week aimed at revolutionizing the fight against pediatric cancer — and it was the children themselves who turned the event into something unforgettable.
Standing in the Oval Office surrounded by young cancer survivors, Trump announced a doubling of federal investment into pediatric cancer research and a new directive for government agencies to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence in pursuit of faster, more effective treatments. “We’re going to massively accelerate pediatric cancer research,” Trump said, “and harness the extraordinary potential of Artificial Intelligence to fight this terrible disease.”
.@POTUS: “I’m thrilled to sign a very historic Executive Order to massively accelerate pediatric cancer research and harness the extraordinary potential of Artificial Intelligence to fight this terrible disease.” pic.twitter.com/v1zY0EfgxN
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 30, 2025
It’s not the first time Trump has turned his attention to childhood cancer. In 2019, he launched the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, a multi-year effort to centralize and leverage cancer research data. But this new executive action — titled Unlocking Cures for Pediatric Cancer with Artificial Intelligence — builds on that groundwork with fresh urgency and a futuristic edge.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hailed the EO as a leap forward: “This is about action, unlocking cures, empowering families, and giving every child the chance to grow up healthy and strong.”
But what stole the show wasn’t Trump’s signature or the sweeping policy goals — it was the voices of those most directly affected. One by one, the children who had faced down cancer took the mic. Sixteen-year-old Carolyn Hendrix, a survivor of pediatric bone cancer, captured the room’s emotion when she told Trump, “This will help doctors use technology to find cures faster, match patients to trials more quickly, and give our families more control over health.”
.@POTUS: “In 2019, I was proud to launch the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative… and today, in line with recommendations made by @SecKennedy and the MAHA Commission, we’re doubling that investment… I’m also directing the federal government to fully utilize Artificial… pic.twitter.com/ysxtPPDFVZ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 30, 2025
A 9-year-old leukemia survivor followed with heartfelt gratitude: “Thank you, Mr. President, for making everything happen today so kids like me… can still be living today and speaking.”
Trump, visibly moved, responded in classic fashion: “They are doing better than any of us. We’re doing lousy. We’re not doing so well today. They are doing so good.”
The President then made an unscripted decision not to take questions from the press. “We’re not going to top that,” he said, gesturing toward the children. “So I wanted to just thank you all very much.”
16-year-old Carolyn Hendrix, a pediatric bone cancer survivor, on the Executive Order unlocking cures for pediatric cancer:
“What you’re doing today, Mr. President, means that kids like me will get better options and so much more hope for the future.” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/j0p7Twzur9
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 30, 2025
Earlier that day, Trump had lightened the mood during another healthcare announcement focused on lowering prescription drug prices. As RFK Jr. was interrupted mid-speech by a sneeze, Trump joked, “God bless you, Bobby. I hope I didn’t catch COVID just there,” sending the room into laughter. “Give me a Paxlovid immediately,” he quipped to the Pfizer CEO.