Senate Resolution No. 640

BY: Senator THOMAS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 2023, 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 between 10,000 and 15,000 children under
the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States in
2023; on average, about 1,000 New York children under the age of 20 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 leading cause of death in children under age 15 exceeded only by
accidents, and is expected to take the lives of approximately 1,200
American children in 2022; on average, about 85 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 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 this month these burdens are shared by countless
dedicated healthcare professionals, organizations, and parent advocacy
groups that support patients and families by offering advice,
encouragement, 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2023, 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
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.