LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2013 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious illnesses
that affect the lives of children and their families of New York State;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2013 as Childhood
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, New York State's children are our greatest resource; child-
hood cancer is especially tragic; and
WHEREAS, A great number of children, 10% of whom are infants, are
nevertheless impacted by childhood cancer; it is estimated that 12,060
children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in 2013, on
average, the equivalent of two classrooms of children per day; and
WHEREAS, Childhood cancer, the most common forms of which are leuke-
mia, brain cancer, and cancer of the central nervous system, is the
second leading cause of death for children under 15 years-old; it is the
most frequent cause of childhood death by disease, and is expected to
take the lives of 1,340 American children in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Although the causes of childhood cancer are largely unknown,
research has advanced its successful treatment and offered a better
quality of life to children coping with cancer and the side-effects of
treatment; and
WHEREAS, Five-year survival rates have increased dramatically for some
forms of childhood cancer, while the percentage of patients surviving
into adulthood has climbed from 30% to 80% in the past 30 years; and
WHEREAS, The toll cancer takes on a child and his/her family is
unimaginable; a child-patient's expectations of a healthy, normal life,
education, and growth may be put on hold, while parents must cope with
high treatment costs, stress, and the difficulties associated with
caring for their family while being with their child for treatment,
often having to travel or relocate to do so; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the month of September, we remember that these
burdens are shared by countless dedicated healthcare professionals,
organizations, and parent advocacy groups which support patients and
families by offering advice, encouragement, hope, and financial assist-
ance, and work tirelessly to lift the spirits of children suffering from
cancer; and
WHEREAS, The mission statement of the Capital Region Childhood Cancer
Coalition (CRCCC) is to create increased public awareness, attention and
focus on childhood cancer; the Coalition strives to educate, inform and
provide solutions on local childhood cancer issues; and
WHEREAS, Independent objectives sustained by the CRCCC will also
support children afflicted with cancer, their families and the Chil-
dren's Hospital at Albany Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2013 as
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York, and to
encourage all New Yorkers to support families coping with childhood
cancer, offer encouragement to patients, remember lost loved ones, and

appreciate the efforts of those who work to treat and support children
experiencing cancer; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; and the Capital Region Childhood Cancer Coalition.