AUSTIN, Texas -- September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

The disease is the leading cause of death among children in the United States according to the National Cancer Institute. Last year, more than 15,000 children were diagnosed with cancer. Austin-area Congressman Michael McCaul has been working to expand funding for pediatric cancer research and treatment. 

"My best friend in fourth grade died from leukemia," McCaul said. "It was a death sentence back then and it always kind of stuck in my mind. Then I had constituents whose children were impacted by this and decided I wanted to do something about it."

His most recent bill, the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research (STAR) Act was signed into law back in June.

"It just got fully funded," McCaul said. "It’s $30 million over five years…It’s the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever passed by the Congress."

McCaul and Sadie Keller, an 11-year-old cancer survivor and advocate from Dallas, have worked together to raise awareness about pediatric cancer. Keller advocated for the STAR Act.

"She’s hard not to fall in love with," McCaul said. "I decided she could really be the face of the movement. She has a really special star quality and done a lot of tremendous work."

McCaul said they’re also looking at palliative care for children and looking at it globally -- with the World Health Organization and Texas Children’s Hospital -- to expand the movement to try to eradicate the disease.

Click the video link above to watch McCaul’s full interview including his take on the midterm elections, his bid for reelection and angling for a new leadership post in the House.