CORVALLIS - Jenessa "Boey" Byers, the warrior child who dreamed of one day beating childhood cancer for herself - and every child - did not live to see the fruition of that dream. But Wednesday night, in part because of her efforts, the nation moved a step closer to her goal.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., helped rally the Senate on Wednesday to pass the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which authorizes $150 million over a five-year period to expand support for biomedical research programs in pediatric cancer research. Among the programs being supported by the money are establishing a population-based national childhood cancer registry, funding informational and educational services to families, and helping researchers more accurately study the incidence of childhood cancers and their treatments.

Boey, a Corvallis native, died in December 2007 after a long bout with her second round of rhabdomyosarcoma. During her eight years, Boey not only tirelessly supported other ill children at Doerbecher Children's Hospital, but she actively lobbied Congress to support the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. Through her letters, she convinced Sen. Wyden to co-sponsor the legislation. After her death, Wyden shared her story on the Senate floor to encourage the Senate to support the bill. It already has passed the House. With passage by both sides Wednesday, the bill now awaits the president's signature.

Last July, the community rallied around the Byers family as the ABC show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," came to town and helped build a new dream home for the family where Boey lived in her last months. Boey continues to be a galvanizing force in the community after her death, as friends and former classmates dedicate art projects and tree plantings to her memory.

"Anyone who met Boey was touched by her courage and her incredible heart," Wyden said in a news release from his office Wednesday. "She was a real force of nature who never let her fight to beat cancer get her down."