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

WHEREAS, Childhood cancer is a substantial public health problem in the
United States; between infancy and 15 years of age, it is the leading
cause of death by disease among children and, according to the National
Cancer Trends Progress Report of 2005, is increasing slightly; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 9,500 new cases of pediatric cancer were
expected to be diagnosed in 2006; and
WHEREAS, While there were an estimated 1,500 deaths in 2003, about
one-third of them from leukemia, mortality rates have declined approxi-
mately 57 percent since the early 1970s; and
WHEREAS, Cancers in children often are difficult to recognize; common
sites include the blood and bone marrow, lymph nodes, brain, nervous
system, kidneys, and soft tissues; and
WHEREAS, Some of the main childhood cancers include leukemia, osteo-
genic sarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyoma sarcoma,
brain cancers, lymphomas and Hodgkin's, retinoblastoma, and Wilm's
tumor; among the 11 major types of childhood cancers, leukemia and brain
and central nervous system tumors account for more than half of all new
cases; and
WHEREAS, Parents should see that their children have regular medical
checkups, a healthy diet, and 60 minutes of exercise a day, and should
be alert to any unusual symptoms which persist; and
WHEREAS, Some of these symptoms include an unusual mass or swelling,
unexplained paleness and loss of energy, sudden tendency to bruise, a
persistent localized pain or limping, unexplained fever or illness,
frequent headaches, sudden eye or vision changes, and excessive rapid
weight loss; and
WHEREAS, The combined five-year survival rate for all childhood
cancers has improved from 56 percent in the 1970s to 79 percent in the
1990s and certain cancers which were almost invariably fatal 40 years
ago, such as some childhood leukemias, now have cure rates of more than
80 percent; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body reaffirms its commitment to encouraging
continued early detection and treatment of childhood cancer and access
to quality medical care for treatment and post-treatment options; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body further reaffirms its commitment to
provide children and their families with access to information and the
ability to interact with medical experts, researchers, and other
affected individuals and their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2013 as Child-
hood Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; 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 to Sunrise Day Camp, Oceanside, New York.