[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 171 (Thursday, September 3, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53445-53446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22328]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 171 / Thursday, September 3, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 53445]]


                Proclamation 9310 of August 31, 2015

                
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Pediatric cancer affects thousands of young Americans 
                each year. It is the leading cause of disease-related 
                death for children, and this year, more than 10,000 of 
                our Nation's youth will be diagnosed with this tragic 
                disease. Every September, America honors all those who 
                have been affected by this life-threatening illness: 
                young girls and boys whose childhoods have been cut 
                short, the loved ones who know the pain pediatric 
                cancer causes, and the communities across our country 
                that rally to support their friends and neighbors 
                during difficult times. As a Nation, we come together 
                to stand with those who have experienced devastating 
                loss, and we renew our commitment to advance research, 
                improve treatment, and ensure a brighter, healthier 
                future for all young Americans.

                Over the past 35 years, mortality rates for some types 
                of pediatric cancer have declined by more than 50 
                percent, and thanks to major advancements in research 
                and treatment efforts, our Nation has significantly 
                improved its understanding and response to this 
                disease. Today, innovative studies are leading to real 
                breakthroughs--reminding us of the importance of 
                supporting scientific discovery and moving our Nation 
                closer to finding cures. Despite these gains, the 
                specific causes of pediatric cancer remain largely 
                unknown, and much work still remains to be done.

                My Administration is committed to advancing the fight 
                against childhood cancer by supporting the vital 
                studies that will continue to build on this progress. 
                Last year, I signed the Gabriella Miller Kids First 
                Research Act, which established the 10-Year Pediatric 
                Research Initiative Fund, and I will keep urging the 
                Congress to continue investing the millions of dollars 
                available in this fund to support medical innovation 
                and life-changing breakthroughs. I was also proud to 
                appoint a pediatric oncologist to the National Cancer 
                Advisory Board earlier this year. And this past 
                January, I announced my Administration's Precision 
                Medicine Initiative, which invests in research to 
                better understand cancer and other diseases, helping 
                the United States lead a new era of medicine--one that 
                delivers the right treatment at the right moment.

                Childhood cancer is devastating, and as families face 
                the enormous burdens it brings, they deserve the 
                security that comes with access to quality, affordable 
                health care. Under the Affordable Care Act, children 
                cannot be denied health insurance due to pre-existing 
                conditions such as cancer. Provisions in the law also 
                eliminate annual and lifetime dollar limits on coverage 
                and prohibit insurance companies from denying 
                participation in an approved clinical trial for cancer 
                or another life-threatening disease.

                Pediatric cancer limits the dreams of too many of our 
                Nation's daughters and sons and deprives our country of 
                their enormous potential. During National Childhood 
                Cancer Awareness Month, we remember the many children 
                who have been taken from us too soon, and we extend our 
                support to all those who continue to battle this 
                illness with incredible strength and courage. Let us 
                honor those on the front lines--the health care 
                providers, researchers, community organizations, and 
                advocacy groups--who work tirelessly to ensure our 
                Nation's youth have every opportunity to grow and

[[Page 53446]]

                thrive, and let us renew our commitment to forging a 
                future free from cancer in all its forms.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 2015 as 
                National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage 
                all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, 
                non-profit organizations, and other groups to join in 
                activities that will increase awareness and prevention 
                of childhood cancer.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-22328
Filed 9-2-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5