Iowa pediatric cancer research bill heads to governor’s desk

DES MOINES, Iowa (KWQC) - A bill that could bring millions of dollars to pediatric cancer research in Iowa is heading to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk.

Iowa lawmakers approved legislation that would create a new tax on vape products and nicotine pouches to help fund pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa.

Starting in 2027, the first $3 million collected each year would go toward pediatric cancer research, future treatments and clinical trials for children fighting cancer.

For families who have advocated for more childhood cancer funding, the moment is deeply personal.

“We do not want any more families to go through what we went through or what we’ve watched so many of our friends go through now,” Brooke Kaas, whose daughter Devyn battled leukemia, said.

KWQC first spoke to the Kaas family and another Iowa family earlier this year as they pushed lawmakers for more research funding.

Devyn was diagnosed with leukemia at 7 months old and is now two years into remission.

For Brooke Kaas, the bill represents hope for future families facing childhood cancer.

“I do not think there’s been a day since the day she was diagnosed in July of 2023 that I haven’t cried, seriously,” Kaas said. “It has been some of the scariest moments of our lives, but she’s in remission now for two years. So we’re just so happy, and we understand that we are in this position because of research and because of the kids that came before her.”

Kaas said families from across Iowa joined together to advocate for the legislation.

“When we started showing up in front of all of their constituents, because everywhere across Iowa there is a kid that has cancer, it was incredibly moving to have so many families want to join the fight,” she said.

Supporters said they hope the funding will eventually help keep more children in Iowa for specialized treatment and clinical trials.

“Some of them had to leave their other children at home to take their sick child to another state to be treated,” Kaas said. “And we have so many brilliant doctors here and brilliant researchers here. There is no reason other than financial that we can’t have those kids staying home in Iowa for treatment.”

Kaas said the funding could help change the future for children diagnosed with cancer.

“We could be the state where other kids come for treatment,” she said. “We could be the state that has the huge breakthrough and it’s very exciting. This truly can make a difference in so many lives.”

The bill is expected to be signed within the next couple of weeks. Once signed into law, the tax would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.