[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 74 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING THE LEUKEMIA SOCIETY ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 1999

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Leukemia 
Society of America on its 50th anniversary. The Leukemia Society has 
led the fight to end this terrible disease and many individuals are 
alive today thanks to its work. This organization possesses not only 
the scientific and medical expertise needed for such a task, but also 
the understanding and sensitivity to lend support to the patients and 
families faced with the challenge of leukemia.
  I am personally active with the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the 
Leukemia Society, and dedicate all my work to the memory of our son, 
Todd Richard Roukema, who was taken from us by the tragedy of leukemia. 
I take this opportunity to thank Dr. Richard W. Zahn, our chapter's 
president, for his dedication and hard work. Dr. Zahn is one of the 
many people who make the Leukemia Society a success and is bringing 
hope to all those families who are facing this disease.
  In August 1944, 16-year-Robbie deVilliers was diagnosed with acute 
leukemia. Three months later he died, as did 96 percent of the children 
diagnosed with leukemia that year. In 1950, as a memorial to their 
son's brief life, Robbie's parents established the Robert Roesler 
deVilliers Foundation in an effort to support scientific research into 
their son's disorder. In 1951, with an income of $11,700, the 
foundation approved its first research grant. With the hiring of a 
medical consultant, the foundation established its principle of 
awarding research grants to young scientists over the next few years. 
In 1955, it changed its name to the Leukemia Society, eventually 
becoming known as the Leukemia Society of America to reflect its 
national stature.
  During its half-century of operation, the Leukemia Society has grown 
tremendously, expanding its scope and developing a wealth of expertise 
and knowledge. With an income of more than $83 million a year, the 
Society now funds research into the blood-related cancers of lymphoma, 
Hodgkin's disease and myeloma as well as leukemia. Under the Leukemia 
Society's leadership, new chemotherapy drugs combined with radiation 
treatment have increased survival rates. Today, 80 percent of children 
under 15 survive leukemia and certain types of leukemia can be cured.
  While the past 50 years of accomplishment brings great hope, one 
adult or child still dies from blood-related cancers every nine 
minutes. Leukemia and lymphoma are the leading fatal cancers in men and 
women under 35. Cures for these diseases must be found. Research 
challenges remain and the Leukemia Society valiantly pursues its 
mission.
  As I have stated, we know personally the tragedy of cancer: My 
husband, Dr. Richard W. Roukema, M.D., and I lost our son, Todd, to 
leukemia in 1976 at the age of 17. At that time, bone marrow 
transplants and other techniques that offered hope were only in their 
experimental stages. Since then, many advances have been made that have 
spared thousands of other parents the heartbreak we faced. It is thanks 
to the brilliant researchers and physicians supported by the Leukemia 
Society that hope can be maintained.
  Today, we are within grasp of a cure for many forms of cancer but 
much research remains to be done. I thank God for those who are willing 
to labor toward this goal and pray that with their help a cure can be 
found and that no one will ever again have to suffer from this terrible 
disease.

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