179-Mile Walk for Pediatric Cancer

What began as a 179-mile walk from Philadelphia to Washington, DC, was a deliberate act of advocacy in response to a growing crisis. As Congress considered budget proposals that threatened to reduce funding for pediatric cancer research and treatment, leaders of the Ahmad Butler Foundation took action to make clear that children with cancer cannot absorb further cuts, and cannot wait for delayed solutions.

Over the course of the walk, and through scheduled virtual meetings on non-walking days, advocacy continued with congressional offices to oppose proposed FY 2026 budget reductions and to urge increased federal investment in pediatric cancer research, treatment access, and survivorship outcomes.

By the time the walk concluded on Capitol Hill, it had become more than a physical journey. It evolved into a sustained effort to elevate pediatric cancer as a national priority, centering the voices of families, honoring children who are fighting and those we have lost, and reinforcing the urgent need for coordinated federal action.