Bill Text: NJ AJR33 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates June of each year as "Cancer Survivor Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AJR33 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AJR33-Introduced.html
No. 33
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
Assemblywoman MICHELE MATSIKOUDIS
District 21 (Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Designates June of each year as "Cancer Survivor Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
A Joint Resolution designating June of each year as "Cancer Survivor Month."
Whereas, In light of advances in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and follow-up care, more people than ever before are surviving cancer; and
Whereas, A "cancer survivor" is defined as anyone living with a history of cancer, from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life; and
Whereas, More than 15.5 million people in this country are currently alive after being diagnosed with cancer; and
Whereas, From 2009-2013, a total of 82,861 deaths due to cancer occurred among New Jersey residents; and
Whereas, A total of 49,980 cases of invasive cancer were diagnosed in 2013 among New Jersey residents; and
Whereas, The most common cancer diagnosed among New Jersey women in 2013 was breast cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed among New Jersey men in that year was prostate cancer; however, lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer-related death in 2013; and
Whereas, There are an estimated 504,050 cancer survivors in New Jersey; and
Whereas, Currently, 66 percent of cancer patients will live more than five years following diagnosis; and
Whereas, Sixty percent of all cancer survivors are age 65 or older; and
Whereas, Roughly 80 percent of people return to work after a cancer diagnosis, and studies have shown little, if any, difference in the work performance of cancer survivors who return to work; however, one in five survivors will have cancer-related work limitations up to five years after diagnosis; and
Whereas, Surviving cancer can result in a host of other problems; and
Whereas, Physical, emotional, and financial hardships often persist for years after cancer diagnosis and treatment; and
Whereas, Cancer survivors are also at greater risk for developing other cancers and health conditions; and
Whereas, In addition, cancer survivors may face numerous challenges during and after treatment, such as limited access to cancer specialists and promising new treatment, difficulty finding jobs, economic burdens due to mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced productivity; and
Whereas, Cancer survivors also face emotional struggles, strains on personal relationships, and the profound fear of cancer recurrence; and
Whereas, The health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the State of New Jersey are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness of the challenges facing cancer survivors; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Legislature is strongly dedicated to preserving the health of the residents of this State, and in supporting cancer survivors; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper that the Legislature designate the month of June as the time to bring cancer survivors into focus by increasing public understanding regarding their physical, emotional, and financial struggle to adjust to life post-diagnosis and treatment; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. June of each year is designated as "Cancer Survivor Month" in the State of New Jersey to help increase cancer survivor awareness.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates June of each year as "Cancer Survivor Month" in New Jersey to increase cancer survivor awareness.
The joint resolution asks the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing June as "Cancer Survivor Month" in New Jersey, and calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
