Sen. Pamela Gorman, a Republican from Anthem, has filed a bill that would expand the list of special license plates to include a "childhood cancer research plate," with the majority of the sales revenue to be allocated for clinical trials relating to research on pediatric cancer or other rare pediatric diseases. 

A $25 annual license fee would be charged for individuals wishing to purchase the specialty plates, of which $17 would be donated to the newly created Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Fund.

The bill stipulates that the Arizona Department of Transportation be paid $32,000 for production costs by the end of the year. Ella's Tea Party, Inc., a nonprofit organization to help find a cure for childhood cancers, hopes to be able to collect the start-up funds in order to relieve the burden from the state. The group had collected $1,000 as of Feb. 11.

Lyndon Vidrine, a founding member of Ella's Tea Party and father to the organization's namesake, Ella Rose Vidrine, said he does not anticipate any difficulties in passing the bill.

"I would hope they would find it very difficult to say no to a kid with cancer," Vidrine said. "Childhood cancer is such a low incidence that it usually doesn't get the same level of attention as adult cancers, but it is the number one non-violent death for children."  

Ella's Tea Party also has partnered with Cruise Holidays of Scottsdale to raise money for research into childhood cancers. The fundraising duo will host a seven-day cruise to Alaska starting June 7.

"We are proud and excited to partner with Ella's Tea Party for such a commendable cause," said Diane Baskind, owner of Cruise Holidays of Scottsdale, in a Jan. 26 press release. "Helping others can be fun and this Alaska cruise is a great example of how residents in the greater-Phoenix area can support the cause of pediatric cancer awareness and enjoy a cruise vacation at an exceptional value."