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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 30, 2024 10:36 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Scott Martin |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Designating February 15, 2024 as "International Childhood Cancer Day" in Pennsylvania |
| In the near future, I will reintroduce a resolution designating February 15, 2024, as International Childhood Cancer Day in Pennsylvania. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death for adolescents. Even though there have been significant medical advancements in treating cancer’s various forms, the rate of children diagnosed has only increased over the last fifty years. While the five-year survival rate has improved, the statistic doesn’t truly reflect the long-term effects treatments (in some instances) originally pioneered for adults have on our children’s bodies. And yet, these kids continue to fight. International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day exists to shine a light on these brave little warriors, to encourage community involvement in the fight against pediatric cancer and to honor those who gained their angel wings too soon. I’m proud to say that in recent years the Pennsylvania General Assembly has taken great strides in the fight against pediatric cancer with various new funding initiatives, but our work is far from over. One simple way we in the legislature can continue to make a difference is by promoting awareness of the issue. By doing so, we as a body can help encourage the general public to get involved with this fight, to donate, to support and devote themselves in whatever way they can to the cause. We can accomplish this by highlighting the innovations made in research and treatments, by educating the public of the long-term effects decades-old cancer treatments have on young bodies and the great need to find better cures, by cheering on these brave little fighters and by honoring the memories of the countless children who left our world too soon at the hands of cancer. My resolution will do just that. It is critical that we continue to use every opportunity to talk about pediatric cancer so we can not only beat it but improve the quality of life both in the short-term and down the road for those fighting it every day. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important resolution. |
Introduced as SR239