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TO DECLARE SEPTEMBER 2021 AS "CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children; and
Whereas, one in two hundred eighty-five children in the United States will be diagnosed by his or her twentieth birthday; and
Whereas, in 2020, forty-six children per day, or 16,850 children per year, were expected to be diagnosed with cancer; and
Whereas, there are approximately forty thousand children on active treatment at any given time; and
Whereas, the average age of diagnosis is 8 years old, compared to 65 years for adults' cancer diagnosis; and
Whereas, 80% of childhood cancer patients are diagnosed late and with metastatic disease; and
Whereas, on average, there has been a 0.6% increase in incidence per year since the mid-1970s, resulting in an overall incidence increase of 24% over the last forty years; and
Whereas, two-thirds of childhood cancer patients will have chronic health conditions as a result of their treatment toxicity, with one-quarter being classified as severe to life-threatening; and
Whereas, approximately one-half of childhood cancer families rate the associated financial toxicity due to out-of-pocket expenses as considerable to severe; and
Whereas, in the last twenty years, only four new drugs have been approved by the FDA specifically to treat childhood cancer; and
Whereas, the National Cancer Institute recognizes the unique research needs of childhood cancer and the associated need for increased funding to carry out this research; and
Whereas, hundreds of nonprofit organizations at the local and national level, including the American Childhood Cancer Organization, are helping children with cancer and their families cope through educational, emotional, and financial support; and
Whereas, researchers and healthcare professionals work diligently, dedicating their expertise to treat and cure children with cancer; and
Whereas, too many children are affected by this deadly disease, and more must be done to raise awareness and find a cure. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, declare September 2021 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" in South Carolina.
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