SR 53: | Digital Democracy

WHEREAS, According to the National Cancer Institute, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 9,550 children in the United States under 15 years of age will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025; and

WHEREAS, According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one out of every six children are not expected to live past five years of age; and

WHEREAS, Many children in the State of California are afflicted with cancer, experiencing enormous pain and suffering, and they and their families require extraordinary levels of information and support in their struggles against this disease; and

WHEREAS, The potential years of life lost to childhood cancer and the potential years of life saved by treatment exceed all other cancers with the exception of breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, The State of California is a leader in the fight against and treatment of childhood cancer with 18 Childrens Oncology Group hospitals: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Childrens Hospital of Orange County, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente-Oakland, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford, UCLA Mattel Childrens Hospital, Miller Childrens and Womens Hospital Long Beach, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Rady Childrens Hospital-San Diego, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland, UCSF Medical Center-Mission Bay, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Valley Childrens Hospital; and

WHEREAS, The State of California is a leader in developing early phase studies for the treatment of childhood cancers with three international and national research, development, and management consortia: Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) at UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital at San Francisco and Oakland, Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators Consortium (POETIC) for all childhood cancers at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma (TACL) at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, The State of California has the most National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the country: UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Salk Institute Cancer Center, Stanford Cancer Institute, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center; and

WHEREAS, The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) provides over $3,000,000,000 total in funding for stem cell research and therapy development, including cancer research, making the State of California a leader in the nation for funding and research, but more targeted efforts on childhood cancer are still needed; and

WHEREAS, The State of California is number one in the country for pediatric leukemia incidence rates and number 21 in the country for overall incidence rates; and

WHEREAS, Most children cannot be treated at a local hospital and families must face the disruption of relocating to receive treatment at a regional cancer center; and

WHEREAS, As a result of major treatment advances in recent decades, more than 85 percent of children with cancer now survive five years or more; and

WHEREAS, Survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer and other factors; and

WHEREAS, Due to childrens bodies still growing and cancer treatments largely geared toward use on adults, children are more likely to experience long-term side effects from treatment; and

WHEREAS, Possible late effects of cancer treatments include, but are not limited to, heart or lung problems, slowed or delayed development, changes in sexual development and the ability to have children, learning disabilities, and increased risk of secondary forms of cancer; and

WHEREAS, The State of California has many of the worlds finest medical, academic, and commercial institutions, and the treatment of cancer requires a high level of commitment to provide the necessary resources and research that not only Californians have access to, but families all across the United States and the world, who travel to the State of California for its extraordinary treatment and clinical trials; and

WHEREAS, Childhood cancer treatment is handled by a team of pediatric oncologists, pediatric surgeons, radiation oncologists, pediatric oncology nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants; and

WHEREAS, Other members of the team of health professionals aiding in the health and well-being of childhood cancer patients include, but are not limited to, psychologists, social workers, child life specialists, nutritionists, rehabilitation and physical therapists, and educators; and

WHEREAS, Some of the most important members of a pediatric cancer patients team are experienced parents who navigate and advocate on behalf of their children; and

WHEREAS, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is an important nationwide tool for raising awareness among governmental officials and the public of the nature and scope of this problem; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate hereby declares the month of September 2025 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and encourages individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the state to participate in activities and events that promote the awareness of childhood cancer and support families affected by this devastating disease, not just during September, but throughout the year; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate celebrates the progress of all related organizations in aiding children battling pediatric cancer while simultaneously renewing its commitment to the cause; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate supports young Californians who are fighting cancer, honors young people who have lost their lives to childhood cancer, expresses gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and parents who provide special care to patients and families affected by childhood cancer, and encourages all residents in this state to join the fight against childhood cancer; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate is committed to supporting efforts to find cures, and less toxic treatments, for childhood cancer; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.