The Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) to designate September 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This move highlights the significant impact of cancer, which is the leading cause of death by disease among children past infancy, affecting over 14,500 children under the age of 19 each year.
“Cancer is tragically the most common cause of death by disease among children in America,” said Senator Scott. “I am proud to work with my colleagues to dedicate September to raising awareness and honoring the bravery of children and their families who are affected by this devastating disease. Let this occasion be a reminder that there is so much more work to be done to help every kid have the happy, healthy childhood they deserve.”
Senator Manchin echoed these sentiments: “Every September, we honor the children taken from us too soon, recognize the strides we have made in treatment and recovery, and recommit ourselves to fighting this disease. Every child deserves to have a chance at a full and healthy life,” he said. “I am proud to help raise awareness around childhood cancer and the lives it affects every day. Gayle and I will continue to keep all cancer patients and their families across West Virginia and the country in our prayers.”
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) also expressed her support for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: “I’m proud to join my colleagues again in recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Since my Childhood Cancer STAR Act became law and was reauthorized last year, we have secured better outcomes for children fighting this terrible disease and grown our research capabilities, especially with institutions in West Virginia. I will continue to support initiatives that improve our understanding of childhood cancer, provide high-quality care for childhood cancer patients, and create better outcomes for survivors until we enter a world where cancer is a disease of the past.”
The Alliance for Childhood Cancer praised Senators Manchin and Scott for their efforts: “We are deeply grateful to Senators Manchin and Scott for their continued support in designating September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. While we celebrate the progress that has been made in improving the survival rate for children diagnosed with cancer, there is still so much work to be done. Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children, and too many young lives are lost. This resolution reminds us of the urgent need to fund research and find cures so that every child has the chance to grow up cancer-free,” they said in a statement.
Joining Senators Scott and Manchin on this resolution were Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). The resolution has received backing from organizations like the Alliance for Childhood Cancer.
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