Bill Text: TX HR169 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honoring Smiles from Heaven for its service to and advocacy in behalf of children living with cancer.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-03-18 - Reported enrolled [HR169 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HR169-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 169 |
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WHEREAS, Smiles from Heaven, a nonprofit organization | ||
founded in 2019, is making a positive impact in the lives of | ||
children who are battling cancer; and | ||
WHEREAS, Ray and Betsy Sanchez established Smiles from Heaven | ||
in loving memory of their two-year-old daughter, Bella Serena | ||
Sanchez, who passed away on April 9, 2019, following her fight with | ||
leukemia; the organization is dedicated to promoting childhood | ||
cancer awareness and to giving support, assistance, and hope to | ||
children and families receiving treatment for pediatric cancer or | ||
blood disorders; and | ||
WHEREAS, Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death | ||
for children past infancy in the United States; each year, | ||
approximately 175,000 families around the world hear the | ||
devastating news that their child has cancer, but thanks to | ||
improvements in treatment, more than 80 percent of patients with | ||
pediatric cancer in the U.S. will become long-term survivors; and | ||
WHEREAS, Since its inception, Smiles from Heaven has | ||
advocated for childhood cancer awareness throughout the state and | ||
nation in partnership with Be the Match, the South Texas Blood and | ||
Tissue Center, and GenCure; it has cumulatively served over 1,000 | ||
families, provided free travel totaling more than 1,000 miles to | ||
specialized treatment centers, and donated some 21,000 miles worth | ||
of fuel to help allay families' travel expenses; in addition to | ||
offering financial assistance, the organization hosts support | ||
groups and other programs to help parents and children cope with the | ||
emotional stresses that accompany a cancer diagnosis; and | ||
WHEREAS, Smiles from Heaven has been a source of | ||
compassionate guidance to South Texas families going through a | ||
difficult and uncertain journey, and it is a pleasure to recognize | ||
this commendable organization and the inspiring work it has | ||
accomplished; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby honor Smiles from Heaven for its service to and | ||
advocacy in behalf of children living with cancer and extend to all | ||
those affiliated with the organization sincere best wishes for the | ||
future; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the | ||
Texas House of Representatives. | ||
Raymond | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 169 was adopted by the House on March | ||
10, 2021, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||