Title
To recognize September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness month in the City of Columbus
Body
WHEREAS, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children, with 1 in 285 children living in the United States being diagnosed before their 20th birthday; and,
WHEREAS, globally there are more than 400,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year, with every 3 minutes, a child is being diagnosed with cancer; and,
WHEREAS, the average age of diagnosis is 10 years old from those aged 0 to 19, compared to 67 years for adults’ cancer diagnosis, and about 80% of childhood cancer patients are diagnosed late and with metastatic disease; and,
WHEREAS, currently there are estimated to be 496,000 survivors of childhood cancer in the U.S. which equates to 1 in 530 young adults between the ages of 20 to 39 being a survivor of a childhood malignancy; and,
WHEREAS, approximately one half of childhood cancer families rate the associated financial burden as considerable to severe; and,
WHEREAS, the National Cancer Institute recognizes the unique research needs of childhood cancer and the associated need for increased funding; and,
WHEREAS, a number of non-profit organizations at the local and national level, including the Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation and Angel Works Foundation, are helping children with cancer and their families cope through educational, emotional and financial support; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council recognizes September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Columbus and encourages all residents to support this cause that so deeply impacts families globally.