[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATION OF MALIBU CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate February 14 as 
Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in the city of Malibu, CA. I would also 
ask that you join me in honoring the American Cancer Fund for Children 
and its founder Steve Firestein for their diligent work helping 
children. The tireless work of this organization has not only 
highlighted the issue of childhood cancer in the United States, but has 
provided a positive influence on hundreds of young lives effected with 
cancer. I am pleased to offer my highest congratulations for the deep 
sense of community the American Cancer Fund for Children has given to 
the city of Malibu. I would also like to commend the city of Malibu as 
it adds itself to the growing number of communities who have adopted a 
Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in the Los Angeles area. I am very proud 
to have community-based efforts of this caliber in my district, and am 
thrilled to have the opportunity to bring such accomplishments to the 
attention of this body.
  Each year approximately 10,000 more American children will be 
diagnosed with cancer, making cancer the leading cause of death by 
disease among children in the United States. Motivated by these losses 
the American Cancer Fund for Children has worked tirelessly to heighten 
community awareness of childhood cancer. All too often the costs 
incurred in the treatment of cancer far exceeds the average family's 
financial resources. The American Cancer Fund for Children has 
established itself to provide financial assistance to such families who 
find themselves experiencing financial hardship with a child undergoing 
a bone marrow transplant. The organization understands the importance 
of communities coming together to provide social services to those 
families in need, not wanting one child in need of treatment to be 
turned away because their families could not afford them. As the 
demands for cancer treatment grow each year, the organization has also 
taken on greater challenges to meet the demand for patient and family 
services to help ensure the quality of care to better promote the 
chances of survival. These services have provided an assortment of 
patient psychosocial services designed to nurture self-esteem, 
encourage peer interaction and better generate special patient 
communication. The Main Street Children's Services Program has received 
praise from across the United States for their efforts in providing 
gifts via visits for the emotional support of the children. These 
efforts have lifted the spirits of children nationwide through the 
simple gift of giving with a human touch.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing 
the accomplishments of the American Cancer Fund for Children in 
cooperation with the city of Malibu, in highlighting childhood cancer 
with the establishment of a Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

                          ____________________