PRINTER'S NO. 1983
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
379
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, BROWNE, AUMENT, MENSCH, K. WARD, ARNOLD,
LANGERHOLC, DiSANTO, PHILLIPS-HILL, BARTOLOTTA, KILLION,
BAKER, STEFANO, J. WARD, HUTCHINSON, ARGALL, PITTMAN, YAW,
SCAVELLO, BROOKS, COSTA, BOSCOLA, SCHWANK, FONTANA, IOVINO
AND DINNIMAN, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of September 2020 as "Childhood Cancer
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania, encouraging young
Pennsylvanians who are fighting cancer, honoring young people
who have lost their lives to childhood cancer, expressing
gratitude to the doctors and nurses who provide special care
to patients and families affected by childhood cancer and
encouraging all residents in this Commonwealth to join the
fight against childhood cancer.
WHEREAS, Since 1975, childhood cancer rates have risen by
0.7%; and
WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that
approximately 11,050 children in the United States under 15
years of age will be diagnosed with cancer in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Childhood cancer is the second leading cause of
death in children under 15 years of age, exceeded only by
accidents, and approximately 1,190 children are expected to die
from cancer in 2020; and
WHEREAS, The potential years of life lost to childhood cancer
and the potential years of life saved by treatment exceed all
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other cancers with the exception of breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, Most children cannot be treated at a local hospital,
and families must face the disruption of relocating to receive
treatment at a regional cancer center; and
WHEREAS, As a result of major treatment advances in recent
decades, more than 84% of children with cancer now survive five
years or more; and
WHEREAS, This is a significant increase since the mid-1970s,
when the five-year survival rate was less than 60%; and
WHEREAS, Survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer
and other factors; and
WHEREAS, There is still significant progress to be made with
regard to childhood cancer treatment because many types of
childhood cancer, and some types with lower survival rates, are
very difficult to treat; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is a leader in the fight against and
treatment of childhood cancer, with six Children's Oncology
Group hospitals: St. Christopher's Hospital for Children,
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Geisinger Medical Center,
Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Penn State Health Children's
Hospital and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Penn State Health Children's Hospital is one of only
10 institutions nationwide in the Pediatric Oncology
Experimental Therapeutic Investigators' Consortium; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Transportation reported that from
August 2019 through August 2020 Pennsylvanians contributed more
than $1,051,840 to the Pediatric Cancer Research Fund through
its newly established donation feature made available during
online license, identification card and registration renewals;
therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of September
2020 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage young Pennsylvanians who
are fighting cancer, honor young people who have lost their
lives to childhood cancer, express gratitude to the doctors and
nurses who provide special care to patients and families
affected by childhood cancer and encourage all residents of this
Commonwealth to join the fight against childhood cancer.
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