Bill Text: NJ SJR49 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Designates third week in September of each year as "Go Gold for Kids with Cancer Awareness Week."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-05-01 - Approved P.L.2017, JR-2. [SJR49 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SJR49-Chaptered.html
§§1,2 -
C.36:2-287 &
36:2-288
P.L.2017, Joint Resolution No. 2, approved May 1, 2017
Senate Joint Resolution No. 49 (First Reprint)
A Joint Resolution designating the third week in September of each year as "Go Gold for Kids with Cancer Awareness Week."
Whereas, Childhood cancer is rare, but it is still the leading cause of death from disease in American children under the age of 19; and
Whereas, Very little is known about the causes of childhood cancers but a small percent are known to be related to hereditary conditions or exposures to diagnostic or therapeutic radiation; and
Whereas, Childhood cancers have genomic drivers that are different from those that occur in adult cancers, which makes it challenging to target therapeutically and results in a smaller number of targeted therapies available; and
Whereas, The effects of childhood cancer therapy can have profound physical, emotional, and other consequences, including shortened life expectancy; and
Whereas, Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have increased survival rates for many childhood cancers, yet they also raise the risks for long-term health problems. Some children may experience long-term problems such as seizures, weakness in the arms and legs, blindness, hearing loss, growth disorders, hormone-related problems, and impaired brain function; and
Whereas, It is difficult to develop treatments that are less toxic to the child and mitigate the adverse effects of current and previous therapies; and
Whereas, However, the progress made in treatment over the last five decades has increased the number of survivors of childhood cancers and in 2010 there were approximately 380,000 survivors of childhood cancer in the United States; and
Whereas, Many survivors and children battling the disease have difficulty in school and in social settings, experience anxiety, have concerns about their body image and social lives, and face increased risk of developing learning difficulties; and
Whereas, There is a need to increase understanding and awareness among youth about childhood cancers; and
Whereas, Public and private schools are in a position to encourage youth to develop a better understanding of childhood cancers, increase awareness of the issues surrounding childhood cancers, and build compassion for children battling cancer; and
Whereas, The gold ribbon is the international awareness symbol for childhood cancer and "Going Gold" means increasing public knowledge about what the gold ribbon symbolizes; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The third week in September of each year is designated as "Go Gold for Kids with Cancer Awareness Week" in the State of New Jersey in order to encourage public and private schools to participate in activities that encourage youth to develop a better understanding of childhood cancers and build compassion for children battling cancer.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "Go Gold for Kids with Cancer Awareness Week" with appropriate activities and programs 1,1 and 1[requests] requesting1 public officials and citizens of the State to wear a gold ribbon, which is the international awareness symbol for childhood cancer.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
Designates third week in September of each year as "Go Gold for Kids with Cancer Awareness Week."
