Recognizing September 2006 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and honoring The National Children's Cancer Society.

WHEREAS, In 1987, a relatively new and expensive procedure known as bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was gaining prominent recognition as a viable treatment for cancer; and

WHEREAS, Despite this recognition, most insurance companies considered BMTs experimental and would not pay for them. This experimental treatment represented the last hope for the survival of patients who did not respond to traditional chemotherapy. Unless a patient's family was able to pay for this costly experimental treatment, these children were sent home to die; and

WHEREAS, It is for this reason the N.C.C.S. was founded - to ensure that every child with cancer is given a chance at survival. Bone marrow transplants are now routinely performed and covered by insurance, allowing the organization to expand its services to provide additional support; and

WHEREAS, The N.C.C.S. helped push this risky procedure from infancy stage to a widely acceptable form of treatment. Since its inception, the N.C.C.S. has provided over $36 million in direct financial assistance to more than 18,000 children, and supplemental assistance through educational camps, programs and materials to thousands more; and

WHEREAS, The N.C.C.S. now works with more than 200 hospitals and pediatric oncology units throughout the United States. This non-profit, tax-exempt organization has quickly risen to become one of the largest financial aid organizations for children with cancer in the United States; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize September 2006 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and honor the National Childhood Cancer Society's dedicated and outstanding battle against childhood cancer.

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