[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  2003 ONCOLOGY NURSING DAY AND MONTH

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                        HON. SUE WILKINS MYRICK

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to oncology 
nurses. May is the ninth annual Oncology Nursing Day and Month. The 
celebration kicks off on Thursday, May 1, 2003, on Oncology Nursing 
Day, during the opening ceremonies of the Oncology Nursing Society's 
28th Annual Congress in Denver, CO, and continues until May 31, 2003. 
Oncology Nursing Month recognizes oncology nurses, educates the public 
about oncology nursing, provides an opportunity for special educational 
events for oncology nurses, and celebrates the accomplishments of 
oncology nurses.
  The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), the largest professional oncology 
group in the United States composed of more than 30,000 nurses and 
other health professionals, exists to promote excellence in oncology 
nursing and the provision of quality care to those individuals affected 
by cancer. As part of its mission, the Society honors and maintains 
nursing's historical and essential commitment to advocacy for the 
public good. ONS was founded in 1975, and held its first Annual 
Congress in 1976. Since the Society was established, 218 local chapters 
have been formed to provide a network for education and peer support at 
the community level.
  In my state of North Carolina there are more than 939 oncology nurses 
and health professionals that care for individuals with cancer and 
their families. In addition, North Carolina has 6 local Oncology 
Nursing Society chapters located in the areas of Charlotte--my 
district--Wilmington, Canton, Greenville, Durham, and Trinity.
  Over the last ten years, the setting where treatment for cancer is 
provided has changed dramatically. An estimated 80 percent of all 
Americans receive cancer care in community settings including cancer 
centers, physicians' offices, and hospital outpatient departments. 
Treatment regimens are as complex, if not more so, than regimens given 
in the inpatient setting a few short years ago. Oncology nurses are on 
the front-lines of the provision of quality cancer care for individuals 
with cancer. Nurses are involved in the care of a cancer patient from 
the beginning through the end of treatment. Oncology nurses are the 
front-line providers of care by administering chemotherapy, managing 
patient therapies and side-effects, working with insurance companies to 
ensure that patients receive the appropriate treatment, provide 
counseling to patients and family members, in addition to many other 
daily acts on behalf of cancer patients.
  With an increasing number of people with cancer needing high quality 
health care coupled with an inadequate nursing workforce, our nation 
could quickly face a cancer care crisis of serious proportion, with 
limited access to quality cancer care, particularly in traditionally 
underserved areas. Without an adequate supply of nurses there will not 
be enough qualified oncology nurses to provide the quality cancer care 
to a growing population of people in need. I was proud to support the 
passage of the ``Nurse Reinvestment Act'' in the 107th Congress. This 
important piece of legislation expanded and implemented programs at 
HRSA to address the multiple problems contributing to the nationwide 
nursing shortage, including the decline in nursing student enrollments, 
shortage of faculty, and dissatisfaction with nurse workplace 
environments. Mr. Speaker, I plan to work with my colleagues to ensure 
that the Nurse Reinvestment Act receives funding during the FY 2004 
appropriations process.
  I commend the Oncology Nursing Society for all of its hard work to 
prevent and reduce suffering from cancer and to improve the lives of 
those 1.3 million Americans who will be diagnosed with cancer in 2003. 
I wish the Oncology Nursing Society the best of luck in its endeavors 
and urge all Americans to support its important efforts.

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