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A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER, 2019 AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
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WHEREAS: Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children; and
WHEREAS: 1 in 285 children in the United States will be diagnosed by their 20th birthday; and
WHEREAS: 43 children per day or 15,780 children are diagnosed with cancer annually in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS: There are approximately 40,000 children on active treatment at any given time; and
WHEREAS: The average age of diagnosis is 6 years old, compared to 66 years for adults’ cancer diagnosis; and
WHEREAS: 80% of childhood cancer patients are diagnosed late and with metastatic disease; and
WHEREAS: On the average, there’s been a 0.6 % increase in incidence per year since the mid-1970’s resulting in an overall incidence increase of 24% over the last 40 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 20 years only four new drugs have been approved by the FDA to specifically 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 this out; and
WHEREAS: Hundreds of non-profit organizations at the local and national level including the Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation 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; and
WHEREAS: The City of Gahanna is honored to take part in the observance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and supports this cause that so deeply impacts families in every community across our country; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, WE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF GAHANNA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 2019 AS
“CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH”
in support of all of the children and families affected by childhood cancer and in doing so recognize September, 2019, as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month so we may properly pay tribute to the families, friends, professionals and communities who lend their strength to the brave children fighting pediatric cancer across the State of Ohio.
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Brian Metzbower, President Stephen Renner, Vice President
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Michael Schnetzer, Ward 2 Brian Larick, Ward 3
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Jamie Leeseberg, Ward 4 Karen Angelou, At-Large
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Nancy McGregor, At-Large