HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-01 Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children. 1 in 285 children in the
United States will be diagnosed by their 20th birthday, and 46 children per day or 16,790 children per year are
diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. The average age of diagnosis is 6 years old, and 80% of childhood cancer
patients are diagnosed late and with metastatic disease; and
WHEREAS, on average there has been a 0.6 percent increase in incidence per year since the mid 1970’s
resulting in an overall incidence increase of 24 percent over the last 40 years; and
WHEREAS, two-thirds of childhood cancer patients will have chronic health conditions as a result of their
treatments’ toxicity, with one quarter being classified as severe to life-threatening, and approximately one half of
childhood cancer families rate the associated financial burden due to out-of-pocket expenses as considerable to
severe; and
WHEREAS, in the last 30 years the FDA has approved only six new drugs to specifically treat childhood
cancer, and 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 are helping children with
cancer and their families cope through educational, emotional, and financial support, and 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 I, Greer Stone, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, do hereby recognize September as
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and support this cause that so deeply impacts families in every community
across our country.
Presented: September 1, 2024
______________________________ Greer Stone Mayor
Proclamation