Deb Fischer: “I rise today in support of a resolution designating September 26, 2013, as ``National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness…”

“I rise today in support of a resolution designating September 26, 2013, as ``National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day.'' Childhood is a time for growing--growing bodies, growing minds, and growing hearts. It is a time for bike rides that end in skinned knees and sleepovers in backyard forts. It is a time for wondrous stories of Neverland and family board games. It is a time to learn the difference between right and wrong and the difficult discipline of homework. It is a time--a very brief time--given to us by God to live without fear or physical pain or without burdens and responsibilities. For too many children, though, childhood is very different. Too many children in this country are forced to grow up far too quickly. The stark realities of hunger and poverty mature them and some have no choice but to learn the hard lessons of courage from the cruel, unyielding teacher of sickness. Despite this hasty transition from storybooks to the harsh realities of life, these children remain beacons of hope. They inspire us. They challenge us to overcome our own trials which seem trivial in comparison to the heavy burdens they shoulder. They prompt us all to believe in the power of miracles because they have no other choice. One such child is a friend of mine. He is a personal hero. His name is Jack Hoffman. Jack Hoffman is a 7-year-old boy. He was born and raised in Atkinson, NE.…”