Jun. 17, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) today announced that his House resolution designating September 2015 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month passed unanimously.
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House Resolution 371 is intended to bring awareness to childhood cancer, honor the young people who have tragically lost their lives, extend gratitude to medical personnel for their special care to patients and families affected by this disease, and encourage the precious little children currently enduring the fight of their lives,” Benninghoff said. “The battle against childhood cancer is far from over, and awareness is a vital weapon in that battle.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 10,380 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Childhood cancer makes up less than 1 percent of all cancer diagnoses each year, and is the second leading cause of death in children younger than 15 years old.
Because of major treatment advances in recent decades, more than 80 percent of children diagnosed with cancer now survive five years or more. By comparison, in the mid-1970s, the five-year survival rate was less than 60 percent.
“Though significant progress has been made, much more progress is needed in our search for a cure. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to join me in this important fight, however they can.”
Representative Kerry Benninghoff
House Majority Policy Committee Chairman
171st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
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