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

WHEREAS, Every year, thousands of children in New York and across Ameri-
ca are diagnosed with cancer, an often life threatening illness that
remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age
of 15; and
WHEREAS, The causes of pediatric cancer are still largely unknown, and
though new discoveries are resulting in new treatments, this heartbreak-
ing disease continues to scar families and communities in ways that may
never fully heal; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2013, as Childhood Cancer
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This month, we remember the young lives taken too soon, stand
with the families facing childhood cancer today, and rededicate
ourselves to combating this terrible illness; while much remains to be
done, we have come far in the fight to understand, treat, and control
childhood cancer; and
WHEREAS, The five-year survival rate for all childhood cancers has
climbed from less than 50 percent to 80 percent over the past several
decades; and
WHEREAS, Researchers around the world continue to pioneer new thera-
pies and explore the root causes of the disease, driving progress that
could reveal cures or improved outcomes for patients, but despite the
gains we have made, help still does not come soon enough for many of our
sons and daughters, and too many families suffer pain and devastating
loss; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body will continue to support families
battling pediatric cancer and work to ease the burdens they face; and
WHEREAS, This month, we pay tribute to the families, friends, profes-
sionals, and communities who lend their strength to children fighting
pediatric cancer; may their courage and commitment continue to move us
toward new cures, healthier outcomes, and a brighter future for Ameri-
ca's youth; 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 be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.