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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 22, 2014 01:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ryan A. Bizzarro and Rep. Florindo J. Fabrizio, Rep. Patrick J. Harkins |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | CORRECTION: Resolution Designating November 2014 as “Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Awareness Month” and November 11, 2014, as “Jax Stone Day” in Pennsylvania |
| In the near future, we will introduce a resolution designating November 2014 as “Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Awareness Month” and November 11, 2014, as “Jax Stone Day” in Pennsylvania. Brain stem glioma is a disease that causes tumors to grow on the brain stem, the area of the brain that controls the body’s breathing, heart rate, and muscles used in seeing, hearing, walking, talking, and eating. Brain stem glioma may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Brain stem glioma accounts for approximately 15% of childhood brain tumors and occurs mostly in children between five and ten years of age. The prognosis for brain stem glioma is poor due to the very rapid growth and aggressive nature of brain stem tumors. Surgery to remove the tumor is typically not possible due to the location of the tumor directly in the brain stem, so chemotherapy and radiation may be used. In the majority of cases, treatment cannot cure the disease and most children do not survive more than 1 year following a diagnosis. Recognizing November 2014 as “Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Awareness Month” will hopefully spread awareness of this aggressive and dangerous type of cancer and encourage more research to determine the cause of brain stem glioma and more effective treatments for children diagnosed with the disease. Jax Stone was a 9 year old from Erie who was diagnosed with malignant brain stem glioma less than a year ago. Although Jax was faced with a poor prognosis, he continued to show courage and empathy towards others in his community in the face of his battle with cancer. The business community in Erie rallied around Jax and his family to raise money for medical and travel expenses. Sadly, Jax passed away on July 27, 2014, a few months short of his 10th birthday. By making Jax’s birthday, November 11, 2014, a special day, the resolution will recognize Jax for his bravery and courage during his battle with the disease and also recognize the compassion and kindness he exhibited to others in his community. Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HR972