Rep. Miller Introduces Resolution Recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

REP MILLER RECOGNIZES SEPTEMBER AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Max Miller (R-OH-07) with Representatives Mike Kelly (PA-16) and Kat Cammack (FL-3) introduced a congressional resolution recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and reaffirming the nation’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and treatments for children battling cancer.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, pursue their dreams, and build a future,” said Congressman Miller. “While tremendous progress has been made in the fight against childhood cancer, too many children and families continue to face the devastating effects of this disease. During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize the children and families who have been impacted by cancer, honor those who have lost their lives, and recommit ourselves to advancing the research and treatments necessary to give every child the best chance at a healthy future.”

Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease among children past infancy in the United States. At the same time, medical advancements, screening, and increased awareness have helped dramatically improve outcomes. Today, more than 86% of children with cancer survive at least five years, compared to approximately 58% in the mid-1970s.

Despite this progress, approximately 1,820 children and adolescents in the United States still die from cancer each year. Childhood cancers can also differ significantly from cancers affecting adults, requiring specialized approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Survivors may face long-term health effects, with at least 92% developing one or more chronic health conditions and more than 20% experiencing severe or life-threatening complications into adulthood.

We are grateful to the American Cancer Society for their concentrated efforts and dedication to put an end to this disease. The resolution recognizes the courage and resilience these children and their families display while fighting through the pain and hardship of cancer. It also recognizes the dedicated efforts of doctors, researchers, healthcare professionals, and advocates working to improve outcomes for these children and highlights the importance of continued innovation, drug discovery, clinical trials, and the development of safer and more effective treatments.

“In 35 years of caring for children with cancer, I have watched cures become possible for diseases that were once a death sentence. But an 85 percent survival rate is little comfort to the family of a child with a diagnosis where survival is still the exception. This resolution recognizes both how far we have come and how far we still have to go. Every advance we celebrate this September was built on children and families who volunteered for clinical trials. We owe it to them to keep going until every child with cancer has a real chance to be cured.” –John Letterio, MD, Chief of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Director of the Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s.