Indiana Launches New Grant Programs to Support Cancer Research and Treatment with Unanimous Legislative Backing

Thousands of Hoosier families are touched by cancer every year—particularly breast cancer and pediatric cancers that continue to take a heavy toll across the state. In response, Indiana lawmakers have taken decisive action to strengthen the state’s fight against these diseases through the passage of House Enrolled Act 1453.

The new law, authored by State Senator Daryl Schmitt of Jasper, creates grant programs specifically dedicated to breast and pediatric cancer research and treatment. The goal: provide funding to improve early detection, develop new therapies, and increase access to care—especially for Indiana’s most vulnerable residents.

Importantly, HEA 1453 received unanimous support from both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly, underscoring a shared commitment across the political spectrum to improve outcomes for patients and families. The bill was recently ceremonially signed into law by the governor, marking a meaningful step forward in public health and bipartisan problem-solving.

According to the Indiana Department of Health, an average of more than 5,100 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed annually between 2015 and 2019. Tragically, approximately 870 Hoosiers lost their lives to the disease each year during that period.

Equally concerning are the rates of pediatric cancer in Indiana. From 2016 to 2020, more than 300 children aged 0 to 19 were diagnosed with cancer annually—and more than 30 children died each year as a result.

“These numbers are more than just statistics—they represent lives, families, and communities impacted by unimaginable hardship,” Schmitt said. “Early detection is important to increase survival rates amongst cancer patients, and I hope that in the future House Enrolled Act 1453 will help bring even more awareness of the disease.”

With the passage of HEA 1453, Indiana will establish new grant programs that empower research institutions, healthcare providers, and community organizations to pursue breakthroughs in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The law also seeks to increase public awareness and ensure greater access to high-quality cancer care for Hoosiers across the state.

The legislation’s unanimous support in the General Assembly reflects a rare and encouraging moment of unity around a life-or-death issue. Lawmakers on both sides recognized the urgency and potential of investing in cancer research and treatment—not only to save lives now but also to build a better future for generations to come.

For many across Indiana, the need for stronger cancer resources is deeply personal. Whether facing a diagnosis themselves or supporting a loved one, countless residents know the fear, uncertainty, and grief that cancer brings. This legislation sends a clear message: Indiana is committed to doing more.

The new funding streams will help close gaps in care, particularly in rural and underserved communities, where access to specialists and advanced treatment can be limited. By prioritizing pediatric and breast cancer—two areas where early detection and timely intervention are especially critical—HEA 1453 aims to maximize impact and improve survival rates.

Stakeholders from across the healthcare sector have praised the law as a necessary and timely step toward enhancing Indiana’s public health infrastructure. Researchers hope the additional funding will accelerate innovation, support clinical trials, and encourage collaboration among hospitals, universities, and nonprofit organizations.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and neither should our efforts to fight it,” said Schmitt. “That’s why I’m grateful to my colleagues for coming together in full support of this legislation.”

As the programs begin to take shape, the true measure of HEA 1453’s success will be seen in the lives it touches—from children receiving care closer to home to families gaining access to groundbreaking treatments developed right here in Indiana.

In a time when division can so often dominate the headlines, the passage of HEA 1453 stands out as a powerful example of what’s possible when elected leaders come together with a common goal: protecting the health and future of their communities. Through unanimous action, Indiana has made it clear—cancer research and treatment are priorities worth fighting for.