PRINTER'S NO. 1366
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
239
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, COMITTA, PHILLIPS-HILL, VOGEL, FONTANA,
REGAN, FARRY, COSTA, BARTOLOTTA, TARTAGLIONE, BROOKS,
HAYWOOD, ROBINSON, SANTARSIERO, LAUGHLIN, DUSH, BROWN,
CAPPELLETTI, ARGALL, BOSCOLA, J. WARD, HUTCHINSON, MASTRIANO,
STREET, KANE, MILLER AND DILLON, FEBRUARY 12, 2024
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, FEBRUARY 12, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 15, 2024, as "International Childhood
Cancer Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "International Childhood Cancer Day" increases
awareness of children fighting pediatric cancer across the
globe; and
WHEREAS, "International Childhood Cancer Day" honors those
children who lost their battle with cancer; and
WHEREAS, Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among
children; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Childhood Cancer
Organization, a child battling pediatric cancer dies every three
minutes; and
WHEREAS, The rate of children diagnosed with cancer has
increased since the 1970s; and
WHEREAS, The most recent data provided by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer estimated that in 2020
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
approximately 280,000 children and adolescents were diagnosed
with cancer; and
WHEREAS, In 2020, the International Agency for Research on
Cancer reported approximately 110,000 pediatric cancer
fatalities; and
WHEREAS, The number of pediatric cancer cases is likely
higher than what is currently reported due to the lack of
registries in countries across the globe; and
WHEREAS, Children from impoverished countries lack access to
medicines and treatment that could save their lives; and
WHEREAS, The five-year survival rate among children diagnosed
with cancer is approximately 85%; and
WHEREAS, The survival rate depends heavily on the type of
cancer and other factors; and
WHEREAS, Due to childrens' bodies still growing and cancer
treatments largely geared toward use on adults, children are
more likely to experience long-term side effects from treatment;
and
WHEREAS, Possible late effects of cancer treatments include
heart or lung problems, slowed or delayed development, changes
in sexual development and the ability to have children, learning
disabilities and increased risk of secondary forms of cancer;
and
WHEREAS, According to the American Childhood Cancer
Organization, pediatric cancer patients enter clinical trials
more often than adult patients; and
WHEREAS, Despite advancing treatments and decreasing
mortality rates, cancer remains the number one disease
associated with childhood deaths; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize February 15, 2024, as
20240SR0239PN1366 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
"International Childhood Cancer Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Senate celebrate its progress and the
progress of all related organizations in aiding children
battling childhood cancer while simultaneously renewing its
commitment to the cause; 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,
nurses and parents who provide special care to patients and
families affected by childhood cancer and encourage all
residents in this Commonwealth to join the fight against
childhood cancer.
20240SR0239PN1366 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13