National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 2014

Proclamation 9155 of August 29, 2014

National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each year, pediatric cancer interrupts the childhood
and limits the potential of thousands of young
Americans. It is estimated that almost 16,000 of our
daughters and sons under the age of 20 will be
diagnosed with cancer this year, and it remains the
leading cause of disease-related death for children.
This month--in honor of these young patients, their
loved ones, and all those who support them--we
rededicate ourselves to combating this devastation.

Critical research has led to real progress in the fight
against pediatric cancer. Improvements in treatment and
increased participation in clinical trials have helped
decrease mortality rates for many types of childhood
cancer by more than 50 percent over the past 30 years.
These gains remind us of the importance of supporting
scientific advances, and give us hope for a future free
from cancer in all its forms. My Administration
continues to invest in long-term research efforts that
will build on this progress. As part of this
commitment, earlier this year I signed the Gabriella
Miller Kids First Research Act, which established the
10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund. I continue
to call on the Congress to invest the millions of
dollars available in this Fund to support the urgent
medical innovation that could lead to life-changing
breakthroughs.

As we continue to pursue medical advances, the
Affordable Care Act is improving families' access to
quality, affordable health coverage. Childhood cancer
can occur suddenly, with no early symptoms, and regular
medical checkups can help detect pediatric cancer at an
early stage. The Affordable Care Act helps millions of
families access this essential medical care, and new
protections eliminate annual and lifetime dollar limits
on coverage. Insurance companies are also prohibited
from denying coverage due to a history of cancer, or
any other pre-existing condition, and from denying
participation in an approved clinical trial for any
life-threatening disease.

During National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, our
Nation comes together to remember all those whose lives
were cut short by pediatric cancer, to recognize the
loved ones who know too well the pain it causes, and to
support every child and every family battling cancer
each day. We join with their loved ones and the
researchers, health care providers, and advocates who
support them as we work toward a tomorrow where all
children are able to pursue their full measure of
happiness without the burden of cancer.

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 2014 as
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage
all Americans to join me in reaffirming our commitment
to fighting childhood cancer.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.