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

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

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 9,910 children in the United States under 15 years of age will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023; 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, 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, The survival rate of children with cancer has significantly increased since the mid-1970s, when the five-year survival rate was approximately 58 percent; and

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

WHEREAS, Due to children’s 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, Childhood cancer treatment is handled by a team of pediatric oncologists and 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 patient’s team are experienced parents who navigate and advocate on behalf of their children; and

WHEREAS, This state is a leader in the fight against and treatment of childhood cancer with nineteen Children’s Oncology Group hospitals: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford University, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Long Beach, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Valley Children’s Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Two of only 16 institutions in the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium are in California: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford University; and

WHEREAS, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford University is 1 of only 10 institutions nationwide participating in the Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutic Investigators’ Consortium; now, therefore, be it