Overland Park high school student advocates for cancer funding on Capitol Hill

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - A local high school student and cancer researcher traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for funding for the disease.

Matthew Chen is a Junior at Blue Valley North High School. He attended a hearing at the United States Capitol following President Trump’s proposed budget for 2026, which slashes the National Institute of Health’s budget.

He ed cancer survivors, medical leaders and advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

The high school student was inspired to start researching cancer because his family have been impacted by it. Chen has also played a key role in multiple cancer research projects.

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“It was nice to see that there was basically unanimous , there was bipartisan ,” said Chen.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran s disease research funding and also spoke in the hearing.

“One of the reasons this job has value to me, and hopefully my constituents, is the work that we do regarding combating diseases and finding the cures and the treatments for Alzheimer’s and Cancer and diabetes,” said Moran.

He also asked questions regarding how more money would be responsibly allocated, if more funding were ever available in the future.

Chen was grateful to have his Senator at the hearing in .

“For me, it was important to let my Senator, Senator Moran, know that people in Kansas are watching and listening and care about this issue,” said Chen.

Chen has an important message regarding federal budget cuts.

“These cuts are wrong, terrible, and to keep this current treatment level and to continue our research to protect both Kansans and Americans who are undergoing cancer treatment. We need to maintain this budget,” said Chen.

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