What is the meaning of H. Res. 114; what does it really do?
H. Res. 114 raises awareness to the lack of adequate research funding into cures for pediatric cancer, and the statistics around pediatric brain cancer, CNS tumors being responsible for more childhood deaths than any other disease in the US. H. Res. 114 suggests that the years of life lost, and mortality rates associated with a given type of cancer be prioritized in the decision-making process for research grants with our government funds and private sector funds. It doesn’t dictate process; it suggests this as an important part of the solution to the problem of inadequate funding to save our kids lives. They deserve more of a fight from us. The Resolution text cites the numbers. Be aware of its contents for maximum effectiveness in your advocacy.
- Resolution Text
- Letter to Congress with supporting documents
- Support Statement from Six Experts
- Support Letter from the Alliance for Childhood Cancer
- H. RES. 114 ENDORSEMENTS
- Letter to Congress by itself
“Sense Of” Resolutions in the House and Senate.
One or both houses of Congress may formally express opinions about subjects of current national interest through freestanding simple or concurrent resolutions (called generically “sense of the House,” “sense of the Senate,” or “sense of the Congress” resolutions). These opinions expressing the views of one or both chambers may be included in other legislation upon introduction or subsequently added by amendment. This report identifies the various forms these expressions may take and the procedures governing such actions. Download full pdf on “Sense Of” Resolutions here from the Congressional Research Service.
History
The DIPG Awareness Resolution: FINALLY–As the childhood cancer community, has been striving for A NATIONAL CONVERSATION about the chronic lack of research funding for childhood cancer, referring directly back to the #MoreThan4 movement of 2015. For a more detailed history, visit our wix site page.
The general public is not aware, for the most part, that childhood cancer is not a priority in the medical research system. It is important that the public be given a poignant example of the experiences we are expected to accept and endure in our country today, amid commercials and promotions claiming 80% of children with cancer survive. This is an erroneous claim, despite the progress made in the past 40 years with the treatment of leukemia. Brain cancer, the #1 killer of kids with cancer, has seen no progress of this kind.
It dawned on me, initially exploring advocacy in 2014 in Washington DC at my first Curefest, that DIPG was a prime example of the horrific experience that so many of us have because of the lack of solutions for our children with cancer. Finally, it seemed to me that DIPG could be, in effect, an ambassador for childhood cancer. Rather than to assert greater importance, DIPG exemplifies in a powerful way the utter failure of our system to address the lack of solutions for our most precious citizens–our children, and we must all be resigned to watching our kids die in utter helplessness because “the numbers aren’t great enough for investors.”
Currently, our society spends more money on potato chips annually than what we spend on pediatric cancer research. That we should witness the death of our children in complete helplessness is an unacceptable reality in one of the wealthiest countries in the world boasting the greatest technological prowess.
If we could put a man on the moon in 1969, surely we can do better for our children with cancer. #Moonshot4Kids