1Designating May 2014 as "Cancer Caregivers Recognition Month" in
2Pennsylvania and honoring the vital role caregivers play in
3the lives of cancer patients.

4WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute reports that
5approximately 1.6 million new cases of cancer are expected to be
6diagnosed in the United States in 2014; and

7WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that 79,920
8new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Pennsylvania in 2014,
9and many cancer patients will require support from unpaid
10caregivers; and

11WHEREAS, Known as family caregivers or lay caregivers, unpaid
12caregivers are primarily a spouse, partner or adult child. Close
13friends, coworkers and neighbors often fill this role when
14family is not nearby; and

1WHEREAS, Families provide about 80% of home-care services;
2and

3WHEREAS, Lay caregivers are an important part of the health
4care team and provide a complex array of support tasks that
5extend across physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional
6domains; and

7WHEREAS, Caring for an individual with cancer can be very
8stressful and exhausting, requiring emotional, spiritual and
9physical strength; and

10WHEREAS, Caregiver stress may continue after the patient's
11treatment ends as roles change again. Some caregivers may
12experience problems in adjustment after treatment is completed;
13and

14WHEREAS, The support of family, friends, employers, coworkers
15and the community is key to assist caregivers in taking care of
16themselves both during caregiving and after caregiving ends; and

17WHEREAS, Many caregivers find satisfaction in providing care
18for a loved one with cancer, finding it a means of expressing
19love and respect for that person; and

20WHEREAS, Many cancer patients are deeply grateful to the
21caregivers for the love and dedication, weathering the
22challenges and setbacks of cancer treatment and sharing the
23triumphs with them; therefore be it

24RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May
252014 as "Cancer Caregivers Recognition Month" in Pennsylvania;
26and be it further

27RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor all cancer
28caregivers for their strength, love and unwavering support for
29their loved one with cancer and urge all citizens to show their
30support and appreciation for cancer caregivers across this

1Commonwealth.