Bill Text: SC S1374 | 2021-2022 | 124th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 30-16)
Status: (Passed) 2022-06-28 - Introduced and adopted [S1374 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2021-S1374-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER 2022 AS "CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE THAT SO DEEPLY IMPACTS FAMILIES IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.
Whereas, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children; and
Whereas, almost one in three hundred children in the United States will be diagnosed with childhood cancer; and
Whereas, forty-seven children per day, or over seventeen thousand children in total, are diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States. Approximately forty thousand children are on active treatment at any given time; and
Whereas, the average age of childhood cancer diagnosis is eight years old. Eighty percent of childhood cancer patients are diagnosed late and with metastatic disease; and
Whereas, on average, there has been an almost one percent increase in incidence per year since the mid 1970s, resulting in an overall incidence increase of forty-one percent over the last forty years; and
Whereas, ninety-five percent of childhood cancer patients will have chronic health conditions as a result of their treatment toxicity, with one third 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, the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved only six new drugs 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 out this research; and
Whereas, hundreds of non-profit 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, in the great State of South Carolina, important work is being done to improve care for children with cancer and their families. The South Carolina Cancer Plan is a five-year plan which serves as a roadmap to reducing cancer in the state. The latest revision, issued in October 2021, included objectives related to childhood cancer. This inclusion ensured that this issue is now elevated to be a statewide priority for SCDHEC, in addition to the good work already accomplished by the South Carolina Cancer Plan group; 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 Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize September 2022 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" in South Carolina and encourage all South Carolinians to support this cause that so deeply impacts families in every community across our country.
