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To Recognize September 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Columbus
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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 300,000 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 66 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 270,000 survivors of childhood cancer in the U.S. which equates to 1 in 640 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 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 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Columbus and encourages all residents to support this cause that so deeply impacts families globally.