[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2991-S2992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER AWARENESS DAY
Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution
designating September 26, 2013, as ``National Pediatric Brain Cancer
Awareness Day.''
Childhood is a time for growing--growing bodies, growing minds, and
growing hearts. It is a time for bike rides that end in skinned knees
and sleepovers in backyard forts. It is a time for wondrous stories of
Neverland and family board games. It is a time to learn the difference
between right and wrong and the difficult discipline of homework. It is
a time--a very brief time--given to us by God to live without fear or
physical pain or without burdens and responsibilities.
For too many children, though, childhood is very different. Too many
children in this country are forced to grow up far too quickly. The
stark realities of hunger and poverty mature them and some have no
choice but to learn the hard lessons of courage from the cruel,
unyielding teacher of sickness.
Despite this hasty transition from storybooks to the harsh realities
of life, these children remain beacons of hope. They inspire us. They
challenge us to overcome our own trials which seem trivial in
comparison to the heavy burdens they shoulder. They prompt us all to
believe in the power of miracles because they have no other choice.
One such child is a friend of mine. He is a personal hero. His name
is Jack Hoffman. Jack Hoffman is a 7-year-old boy. He was born and
raised in Atkinson, NE.
Jack's early years passed like those of many children his age who
live in Nebraska communities. He learned to fish and hunt. He went for
long bike rides. He played sports. He started school. He made friends
with many of his classmates. I am willing to bet little Jack has also
had a fight or two with his siblings.
But childhood for Jack took a quick and unexpected turn on April 22,
2011--almost exactly 2 years ago--when Jack suffered a life-threatening
seizure. Upon examining him, doctors had shocking news: Jack had brain
cancer.
Jack immediately underwent surgery to remove this cancerous mass on
his brain, but the surgery did not bring
[[Page S2992]]
about the results they hoped for. As doctors desperately sought an
answer, Jack's young body continued to be riddled with seizures. Within
5 months, he endured a second brain surgery which removed 95 percent of
the remaining tumor. But despite this success, in April 2012 the MRI
showed that Jack's cancer had returned and doctors determined it was
inoperable. So Jack quickly began 60 weeks of chemotherapy, employing
an outdated regimen used by doctors for over 25 years.
Unfortunately, diminished research funding for pediatric brain cancer
has stunted medical advancements, so treatment options remain limited.
But Jack and his parents didn't despair. They remain hopeful and
determined to discover God's will in their hardships.
In a recent Omaha World-Herald story, Jack's father Andy is quoted as
saying:
I don't know why God chose Jack to have this. But I do know
that we can make something good out of it, and that's promote
the improvement of treatments of this disease.
So the Hoffmans set out, they set out on a mission to raise awareness
for pediatric brain cancer.
This is a rare but devastating disease that poses unique health and
developmental problems for the 3,000 child patients who are diagnosed
each year. Jack and other children suffering from brain cancer endure
seizures, difficulty speaking, and trouble with their balance. The
list, unfortunately, goes on. They spend long periods of time away from
their families, friends, and classmates. They miss school, they miss
football games, and they miss out on childhood.
The Hoffmans' fundraising efforts through the Team Jack campaign have
yielded over $300,000, and it is all for pediatric brain cancer
research.
Although there are countless worthy charities across our country, my
husband Bruce and I feel a special connection with Team Jack, and we
have worked very closely with the Hoffman family to increase awareness
of pediatric brain cancer.
While Jack and his family have been friends of mine for many years,
he was first introduced to most Americans when he became an overnight
football star--complete with his own trading card--and he did this at
the Huskers spring football game on April 6, 2013. Jack suited up with
football pads and a No. 22 jersey, and little Jack ran 69 yards. He
scored a touchdown in front of 60,000 screaming fans in our Memorial
Stadium in Lincoln, NE.
In a single dash across the gridiron, little Jack Hoffman touched the
hearts of millions of Americans, and that includes 7.6 million YouTube
viewers, and he increased awareness of pediatric brain cancer.
It didn't take a touchdown, though, to make Jack a hero. He smiles
through the pain. His courage and his resilience represent the very
best of the human spirit and the very best of our Nation.
I admire the Hoffmans for their unwavering commitment to transform
this very personal trial into a force for good. I am deeply grateful
for all they have done to find a cure.
Today the Senate commends the Hoffmans, Team Jack, and all those
Americans who work tirelessly to battle and bring attention to
pediatric brain cancer. The resolution Senator Klobuchar and I are
submitting recognizes the unique struggles of pediatric brain cancer
for their patients and their families. It commends scientists,
researchers, and health care providers working to modernize and improve
the diagnosis and treatment options; and, importantly, it designates
September 26, 2013, as ``National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness
Day'' to encourage efforts toward the early diagnosis and treatment and
ultimate cure for this disease.
So at this time I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to
the consideration of S. Res. 116, submitted earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 116) designating September 26, 2013,
as ``National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day''.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint
resolution.
Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 116) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
(The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
Mrs. FISCHER. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
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