PRINTER'S NO. 392
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 45
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, ROBINSON, BROOKS, TARTAGLIONE, PHILLIPS-
HILL, FONTANA, KANE, COMITTA, CULVER, SANTARSIERO, SCHWANK,
LAUGHLIN, COSTA, HAYWOOD, DUSH, STEFANO, VOGEL, J. WARD,
HUTCHINSON, STREET AND PENNYCUICK, MARCH 17, 2025
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 17, 2025
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing February 15, 2025, as "International Childhood
2 Cancer Day" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, "International Childhood Cancer Day" increases
4 awareness of children fighting pediatric cancer across the
5 globe; and
6 WHEREAS, "International Childhood Cancer Day" honors those
7 children who lost their battle with cancer; and
8 WHEREAS, Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death
9 among children worldwide, with an estimated 1 in 285 children in
10 the United States diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20;
11 and
12 WHEREAS, According to the American Childhood Cancer
13 Organization, a child dies from pediatric cancer every two hours
14 in the United States; and
15 WHEREAS, The rate of children diagnosed with cancer has
16 increased since the 1970s, with significant advances in
17 diagnosis and treatment helping to extend survival rates; and
 1 WHEREAS, The most recent data from the International Agency
2 for Research on Cancer (IARC) indicates that in 2020,
3 approximately 300,000 children and adolescents globally were
4 diagnosed with cancer, an increase from previous years; and
5 WHEREAS, In 2020, the IARC reported approximately 116,000
6 pediatric cancer fatalities worldwide, with the highest
7 mortality rates in low-income and middle-income countries due to
8 limited access to proper health care and treatment; and
9 WHEREAS, Pediatric cancer statistics are often underreported
10 in many regions of the world due to the lack of national cancer
11 registries, especially in resource-poor countries, meaning the
12 true number of pediatric cancer cases may be even higher; and
13 WHEREAS, Children in impoverished nations face significant
14 barriers in accessing lifesaving medicines, treatments and
15 clinical trials that could improve their chances of survival;
16 and
17 WHEREAS, The five-year survival rate for children diagnosed
18 with cancer in high-income countries has increased to around 85%
19 overall, but this varies depending on the cancer type, stage at
20 diagnosis and available treatment options; and
21 WHEREAS, Despite improvements in treatment outcomes, the
22 survival rate for certain types of pediatric cancers, such as
23 brain tumors, leukemia and neuroblastoma, remain lower,
24 requiring continued research into more effective therapies; and
25 WHEREAS, Due to a child's growing body and the fact that many
26 cancer treatments are tailored for adults, children undergoing
27 cancer treatment often experience significant long-term side
28 effects, including issues with growth and development, fertility
29 and secondary cancers later in life; and
30 WHEREAS, Possible late effects of cancer treatments include
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 1 cardiovascular problems, endocrine dysfunction, neurological
2 impairments, learning disabilities and an increased risk for
3 developing new cancers due to the aggressive nature of certain
4 treatments; and
5 WHEREAS, According to the American Childhood Cancer
6 Organization, children with cancer are more likely to
7 participate in clinical trials than adults, often due to the
8 need for more specialized therapies and innovations in pediatric
9 oncology; and
10 WHEREAS, Despite advances in treatment and better survival
11 outcomes, pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by
12 disease among children in the United States and much work
13 remains to reduce mortality and improve quality of life for
14 survivors; therefore be it
15 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize February 15, 2025, as
16 "International Childhood Cancer Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
17 further
18 RESOLVED, That the Senate celebrate the progress made by
19 medical professionals, researchers and organizations dedicated
20 to fighting childhood cancer while renewing its commitment to
21 advancing research, improving treatments and expanding access to
22 lifesaving care for all children; and be it further
23 RESOLVED, That the Senate express solidarity with young
24 Pennsylvanians battling cancer, honor the memory of those young
25 people who have lost their lives to childhood cancer and express
26 deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, parents and caregivers
27 who provide critical support and care to those affected by
28 childhood cancer; and be it further
29 RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage all residents of this
30 Commonwealth to join the effort to raise awareness, support the
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1 families of children with cancer, advocate for increased funding
2 for pediatric cancer research and contribute to a future where
3 no child has to face cancer alone.
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