Bill Text: NJ ACR98 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Declares November 15, 2011 as "Neuroblastoma Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee [ACR98 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-ACR98-Introduced.html
ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 98
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman SCOTT T. RUMANA
District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)
Assemblyman DAVID C. RUSSO
District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Declares November 15, 2011 as "Neuroblastoma Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Concurrent Resolution declaring November 15, 2011 as "Neuroblastoma Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that forms in the sympathetic nervous system of infants and young children; and
Whereas, Neuroblastoma is a very serious childhood disease which is responsible for 12% of all cancer deaths in children under 15 years of age, accounts for about 7% of all cancers in children, and is the most common type of cancer among infants; and
Whereas, There are roughly 650 new cases of neuroblastoma each year in the United States causing a child to die every 16 hours from the disease; and
Whereas, The National Cancer Institute spends less than 3% of its budget and the American Cancer Society directs less than 2% of its research dollars towards pediatric cancer; and
Whereas, Pediatric AIDS research receives four times more funding than childhood cancer even though childhood cancer is 20 times more prevalent; and
Whereas, Physicians frequently face major challenges in diagnosing neuroblastoma because the symptoms are very similar to more common and less serious childhood illnesses, which results in delayed diagnosis; and
Whereas, By the time neuroblastoma is diagnosed, in roughly two out of three cases the disease has already spread to other parts of the body; and
Whereas, The children suffering from neuroblastoma often undergo treatment involving chemotherapy as well as surgery, and experience prolonged painful symptoms; and
Whereas, The families of children with neuroblastoma must deal with the potential of losing their child while at the same time face out of pocket expenses to treat childhood cancer of roughly $40,000 a year, even with insurance coverage; and
Whereas, Those suffering from neuroblastoma deserve recognition and support in their battle against this painful and deadly disease; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The Legislature hereby declares November 15, 2011 as "Neuroblastoma Awareness Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about neuroblastoma.
2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of the State to observe "Neuroblastoma Awareness Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. A duly authenticated copy of this concurrent resolution signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation and to the Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Society.
STATEMENT
This concurrent resolution designates November 15, 2011 as "Neuroblastoma Awareness Day" in the State of New Jersey. Neuroblastoma is a severe and difficult to treat form of childhood cancer that forms in the nervous system and spreads quickly to other parts of the body. It is also one of the most prevalent forms of childhood cancer. The goal of this resolution is to raise public awareness about the limited funding available for research, the struggles of children who have the disease, and the burdens families face when they have a child dealing with neuroblastoma. The resolution also requests that the Governor issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe this day with appropriate activities and programs.
