Sam Gibbons: “last week, many parents throughout our districts sent their wide-eyed, youthful, energetic and anxious children off to…”

“last week, many parents throughout our districts sent their wide-eyed, youthful, energetic and anxious children off to their first day of school. What is disturbing to every one of us who may be a parent is that on any given school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer and two out of three will not survive. September is Childhood Cancer Month, placing the spotlight on pediatric cancer, the number one disease killer of our children. While these statistics may be depressing, the research and innovation into providing early diagnoses and finding a cure proved to be very hopeful for many of us parents. Mr. Speaker, Congress must remain committed to funding cancer research programs, especially for pediatric cancer. As we participate in the Childhood Cancer Gold Ribbon Day, let us remember the youthful victims of cancer. Congress must fully fund pediatric cancer research to ensure that they become youthful survivors instead of youthful victims.”