[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO EVA GALLAGHER AND THE ONCOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY

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                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 
important and essential role that oncology nurses play in providing 
quality cancer care. These nurses are principally involved in the 
administration and monitoring of chemotherapy and the associated side-
effects patients experience. As anyone ever treated for cancer will 
tell you, oncology nurses are intelligent, well-trained, highly 
skilled, kind-hearted angels who provide quality clinical, psychosocial 
and supportive care to patients and their families. In short, they are 
integral to our nation's cancer care delivery system.
  Cancer is a complex, multifaceted and chronic disease, and people 
with cancer are best served by a multidisciplinary health care team 
specialized in oncology care, including nurses who are certified in 
that specialty. This year alone, 1.3 million Americans will hear the 
words, ``You have cancer.'' In addition, 556,000 will lose their battle 
with this terrible disease. Every day, oncology nurses see the pain and 
suffering caused by cancer and understand the physical, emotional, and 
financial challenges that people with cancer face throughout their 
diagnosis and treatment. Oncology nurses play a central role in the 
provision of quality cancer care as they are principally involved in 
the administration and monitoring of chemotherapy and the associated 
side-effects patients may experience.
  Today, more than two-thirds of cancer cases strike people over the 
age of 65, and the number of cancer cases diagnosed among senior 
citizens is projected to double by 2030. At the same time, many of the 
community-based cancer centers are facing significant barriers in 
hiring the specialized oncology nurses they need to treat cancer 
patients. It is estimated that there will be a shortage of 1.1 million 
nurses in the year 2015.
  The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is the largest organization of 
oncology health professionals in the world, with more than 30,000 
registered nurses and other health care professionals. Since 1975, the 
Oncology Nursing Society has been dedicated to excellence in patient 
care, teaching, research, administration and education in the field of 
oncology. The Society's mission is to promote excellence in oncology 
nursing and quality cancer care. To that end, ONS honors and maintains 
nursing's historical and essential commitment to advocacy for the 
public good by providing nurses and healthcare professionals with 
access to the highest quality educational programs, cancer-care 
resources, research opportunities and networks for peer support.
  On behalf of the people with cancer and their families in Minnesota's 
3rd Congressional District, I would like to acknowledge Eva Gallagher 
for her leadership within the Oncology Nursing Society as a member of 
the ONS Board of Directors. Through Eva's and ONS' leadership, our 
nation is charting a course that will help us win the war on cancer.
  The ONS has 4 chapters in my home state of Minnesota. Located in the 
Bloomington, Esko, Hayfield and Milan areas, these chapters serve the 
oncology nurses in the state and help them continue to provide high 
quality cancer care to patients and their families in our state.
  I commend the Oncology Nursing Society for all of its efforts and 
leadership over the last 29 years and thank the Society and its members 
for their ongoing commitment to improving and assuring access to 
quality cancer care for all cancer patients and their families. I urge 
my colleagues to support them in their important endeavors.

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