Recognizing September 2021 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Philadelphia in honor of childhood cancer patients, care givers, survivors, and those children who have succumbed to the disease.

WHEREAS, Across the world, a child is diagnosed with cancer every 2 minutes. Each year, approximately 16,000 children between birth and age 19 are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. More than 40,000 children are treated for cancer each year. Approximately 1 in 285 children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday; and

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection report cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15. This tragic disease is detected in more than 16,000 of our country's young people each and every year; and

WHEREAS, Adults lose an average of 15 years of life to cancer, but children lose an average of 71 years of life to cancer. The average age of diagnosis of childhood cancer patients is 6 years old. Despite this comparatively massive loss of productive years, only 4% of United States federal funding is solely dedicated to childhood cancer research; and

WHEREAS, One in five of our nation's children loses his or her battle with cancer. Many infants, children and teens will suffer from long-term effects of comprehensive treatment, including secondary cancers; and

WHEREAS, Despite the significant unmet medical need, pharmaceutical companies have been reluctant to develop drugs appropriate for children with cancer because it requires making an investment in products that are unlikely to cover the high costs associated with their research, development, marketing, and distribution. Only 3 drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat any type of pediatric cancer since the 1980s; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is fortunate to have two of the top children’s cancer hospitals in the world, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, who continuously advance the study and treatment of childhood cancer; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, non-profit organizations like the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection provide a variety of vital patient psychosocial services to children undergoing cancer treatment in Philadelphia, as well as participating hospitals throughout the country, thereby enhancing the quality of life for these children and their families; and

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection also sponsor toy distributions, pet-assisted therapy, family sailing programs, KCC Supercar Experience, educational programs and hospital celebrations in honor of a child's determination and bravery to fight the battle against childhood cancer; and

WHEREAS,

September is national childhood cancer awareness month and every gesture of support counts; from visiting children’s hospitals to donating teddy bears to making socks for little patients’ feet, giving a little bit of one’s time is just as appreciated as giving part of one’s paycheck for the cause of researching childhood cancers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes September 2021 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Philadelphia in honor of childhood cancer patients, care givers, survivors, and those children who have succumbed to the disease.

RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Steven and Amy Firestein of the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.

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