WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) yesterday cosponsored a bipartisan resolution designating the third week of January 2013 as Teen Cancer Awareness Week. The resolution is sponsored by Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).
“Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19, and it is important to raise awareness about this deadly disease and the unique medical and social issues facing teens with cancer,” Sen. Toomey said. “Pennsylvania has made amazing progress in combatting teen cancer, and I am grateful to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and organizations like Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for all the hard work they do in helping our teenagers.”
“We are grateful for Sen. Pat Toomey’s leadership on this important resolution. While 80 percent of all childhood cancers can be cured, much work needs to be done since cures often come with challenges – particularly for teens. Advocacy opportunities like Teen Cancer Awareness Week provide a national forum for teens to seek the support they need from one another and lend their voices to this important cause,” said Steven M. Altschuler, MD, Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “By joining Sen. Robert Menendez in making this issue a priority, Sen. Toomey is helping to advance America’s fight against cancer.”
“We are honored to be based in the state of Pennsylvania where Sen. Pat Toomey has designated the third week of January 2013 as Teen Cancer Awareness Week, joining Sen. Robert Melendez in recognizing the importance of kids facing cancer,” said Liz Scott, Co-Executive Director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a national nonprofit based in the suburbs of Philadelphia. “As an organization funding important research toward finding cures for all kids with cancer, we know how important it is to support patients throughout their journey, including the formative years of their teens. Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19, a statistic that needs to be recognized in the public eye through awareness campaigns like this one.”
