Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15. Every year, 15,000 young children and their parents face this challenge, with 1 out of every 5 of those kids losing the battle. On Sept. 2, the Metropolitan King County Council recognized those King County families fighting the disease and the professionals helping them in that struggle by declaring September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in King County.

“Parents and children should be free to focus on the future, not battling cancer for the present,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “These families need our support for their daily battle with cancer, as well as our advocacy in addressing the root causes of the disease, such as banning cancer-causing toxins from children’s products.”

“Declaring this month ‘Childhood Cancer Awareness Month’ is just a small way the people of King County can show their support for all the kids fighting for their lives. We will continue to advocate for policies that help keep our kids healthy and safe,” said Council Vice Chair Joe McDermott.

Two decades ago, the American Cancer Fund for Children, Inc. and Kids Cancer Connection, Inc. were created. The focus of the two groups is helping children with cancer and their families. Locally, these agencies work with Seattle Children’s Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, providing a variety of vital patient psychosocial services to children undergoing cancer treatment.

The two groups also sponsor the nationwide Courageous Kid Recognition Award ceremonies and hospital celebrations in honor of a child’s determination and bravery to fight the battle against childhood cancer.

“These children are the bravest and most courageous people I have ever met.  It is tragic that so many children have to suffer this terrible disease. It had been an honor to help them and their families as best we can by providing various services.” said Steve Firestein, Volunteer Director of American Cancer Fund for Children, Inc. “We do what we can to help and hopefully one day there won’t be a need for recognition such as this. We ask everyone to do what they can to help.”

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, cancer is detected in more than 15,000 children in the United States each year; and

WHEREAS, one in five of these children loses his or her battle with the disease, while the other infants, children, and teens will suffer from long-term effects of comprehensive treatment, including secondary cancers; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Fund for Children, Inc. and Kids Cancer Connection, Inc. report that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in this country between infancy and the age of 15; and

WHEREAS, both organizations, founded in 2005 by Steven Firestein, a member of the philanthropic Max Factor family, are dedicated to helping these children and their families and to enhancing their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection provide a variety of vital psychosocial services to children undergoing cancer treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, and other participating hospitals throughout the country; and

WHEREAS, the organizations also sponsor nationwide Courageous Kid Recognition Award ceremonies and hospital celebrations in honor of a child’s determination and bravery to fight the battle against childhood cancer;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, proclaim September 2014, as

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

in King County and call upon all county residents to assist in the fight against this disease and to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer.