* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Ramos
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
For the purpose of declaring September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, honoring the children whose lives have been lost to cancer, offering condolences to the families of those children, celebrating survivors, and advocating for more research on the prevention and treatment of pediatric cancer.
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Recitals
In September 2019, Congress passed a resolution making September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Childhood Cancer Association, 1 in 285 children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20 years old. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in American children. The causes of most pediatric cancers are unknown and likely not preventable. Each year, an estimated 15,780 children aged 0-19 in the United States alone will be diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer. Approximately 40,000 American children are in active treatment at any given time.
Only 4% of all cancer research dollars are spent to cure cancer in children. The Children’s Cancer Foundation, located here in Maryland, estimates that less money is spent on pediatric cancer research for than on the production of 1 major motion picture. Since 1980, hundreds of cancer drugs have been approved for adults, but only 12 have been approved for use in children, and only 3 have been developed specifically for children.
According to the National Cancer Institute, two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors are at risk for or experience side effects such as secondary cancers, heart damage, lung damage, infertility, chronic hepatitis, alterations in growth and development, impaired cognitive abilities, and psycho -social impairments like severe anxiety and behavioral problems. Families who have experienced or been affected by childhood cancer continue to advocate for more awareness, funding, and research for prevention and treatment. No parent deserves to hear those 4 horrible words, “Your child has cancer.”
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the City Council declares September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, honors the children whose lives have been lost to cancer, offers condolences to the families of those children, celebrates survivors, and advocates for more research on the prevention and treatment of pediatric cancer.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.