LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2015 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, New York State's children are our greatest resource; childhood
cancer is especially tragic; and
WHEREAS, A great number of children are impacted by childhood cancer;
it is estimated that 10,380 children under the age of 15 will be diag-
nosed with cancer in the United States in 2015, about 28 children per
day; on average, about 622 New York children are diagnosed annually; and
WHEREAS, Childhood cancer, the most common forms of which are leukemia
and cancers of the brain and central nervous system, is the second lead-
ing cause of death in children under age 15 exceeded only by accidents,
and is expected to take the lives of 1,250 American children in 2015; on
average, about 83 New York children die from cancer each year; and
WHEREAS, The causes of childhood cancer are largely unknown, research
has advanced its successful treatment and improved the quality of life
for children coping with cancer and the side-effects of treatment;
although five-year survival rates have increased dramatically for some
forms of childhood cancer, one out of eight children diagnosed with
cancer does not survive; and
WHEREAS, The toll cancer takes on a child and family is unimaginable;
a pediatric patient's expectations of a healthy, normal life, education,
and growth may be put on hold, while parents must cope with high treat-
ment 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 this month these burdens are shared by countless
dedicated healthcare professionals, organizations, and parent advocacy
groups that support patients and families by offering advice, encourage-
ment, hope, and financial assistance, and work tirelessly to lift the
spirits of children suffering from cancer; 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 September 2015 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 a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.