WHEREAS, Pediatric cancer remains a leading cause of death from disease among children in the United States, and while advances have improved outcomes for some childhood cancers, children with certain rare, aggressive, recurrent, and treatment-resistant cancers continue to face limited treatment options and devastating outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Pediatric cancer encompasses many distinct diseases requiring dedicated research, and breakthroughs in one pediatric cancer may generate scientific discoveries, technologies, and treatment strategies that advance the fight against others, making the pursuit of cures and safer, less toxic treatments an urgent national priority; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to world-renowned pediatric cancer treatment and research institutions and has helped advance innovative therapies, positioning the City to advocate for greater national investment in pediatric cancer research, treatment, clinical trials, and cures; and
WHEREAS, The Forever Captain Poodaman, and the Ahmad Butler Foundation, doing business as the Ahmad Butler Foundation, was founded in honor of Ahmad “Captain Poodaman” Butler, the late grandson of its founder, whose life and legacy inspire its mission to support children battling pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases and advocate for children and families; and
WHEREAS, The proposed Ahmad Butler Pediatric Cancer HOPE for a Cure Act seeks a sustained federal response that includes increased pediatric cancer research investment, accelerated pursuit of cures and safer treatments, expanded clinical-trial access, family financial assistance, survivorship research, federal coordination, and public accountability; and
WHEREAS, Complementing this long-term congressional pathway, federal emergency action may also be pursued through the President's authority under the National Emergencies Act and the Secretary of Health and Human Services' authority under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, providing distinct pathways toward the shared objective of addressing pediatric cancer with national emergency-level urgency; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby urges the
United States Congress to support and enact the Ahmad Butler Pediatric Cancer HOPE for a Cure Act to accelerate the discovery of cures for pediatric cancers, advance safer and less toxic treatments, expand access to clinical trials and innovative therapies, strengthen research investment and federal coordination, and support children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Council calls upon the President of the United States to consider declaring a national emergency concerning pediatric cancer under the National Emergencies Act, and separately calls upon the Secretary of Health and Human Services to formally evaluate pediatric cancer for a Public Health Emergency determination pursuant to Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, in furtherance of an urgent, coordinated, and sustained national response to pediatric cancer.
FINALLY RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the Forever Captain Poodaman, the Ahmad Butler Foundation, doing business as the Ahmad Butler Foundation, founded in honor of the late Ahmad “Captain Poodaman” Butler, as an expression of the Council of the City of Philadelphia's support for national action to accelerate cures, improve treatments, and change the future of pediatric cancer.