WHEREAS, Pediatric brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in children according to the National Institute of Health, with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) among the most aggressive and incurable forms, leaving families with limited treatment options and devastating outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Nearby 5,000 children are diagnosed with brain tumors each year according to the American Cancer Society. The National Cancer Institute notes 500 children each year are diagnosed with DIPG; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness, coordinated advocacy, and dedicated research funding are
critical to accelerating the development of effective treatments and improving survival rates for children diagnosed with pediatric brain tumors. Roughly 4% of the federal budget go towards researching pediatric cancers; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is home to world-renowned institutions, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which are at the forefront of pediatric cancer research, treatment, and care; and
WHEREAS, Efforts are underway across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to establish dedicated funding for pediatric brain tumor research, including a proposal known as “Elora’s Law,” aimed at accelerating innovation, supporting translational research, and improving access to life-saving treatments; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has an opportunity to stand alongside these efforts by supporting policies and initiatives that elevate awareness and advocate for meaningful investment in pediatric brain cancer research; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes the need to increase research and development of treatment into pediatric brain cancer, advocating for Harrisburg to increase state funding for pediatric brain cancer research.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution will be presented to the Elora J. Khan Foundation as a sincere expression of the City Council of Philadelphia’s gratitude and admiration.
End