I need to pass this on!

One in every 330 Americans will develop cancer by the age of 20. On the average 12,500 children and teens will be diagnosed with some form of cancer each year in this country, of those, over 2,300 will die. In the U.S., about 46 children are diagnosed with cancer every weekday. The incidence of childhood cancer has increased every year for the last 25 years. It strikes children from all ethnic backgrounds and every level of financial income. IT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH OF OUR CHILDREN !!!!!!!!!!!!!The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) federal budget for 2003 was $4.6 billion. Of that, breast cancer received 12%, prostate cancer received 7%, and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancers combined received less than 3%. A cure can only be found if you help. Helping is great, but make sure you help the right organization. Research has angered me to know what very little funding is actually going towards trying to save our children. Here is what the following organizations give towards research: *The American Cancer Society (ACS) gives 14%, ($.14 for every dollar donated) of their dollars towards research. This is 14% for all types of cancer, infants through adults. The two biggest fundraisers that the ACS has every year all across the country is the "Relay For Life" and "Daffodil Days". So yes, that means those fundraising efforts will only fund 14% towards research. The National Childhood Cancer Foundation, www.nccf.org uses 94% of every dollar donated towards research. AMAZING!!!National Childhood Cancer Foundation supports the work of the Children’s Oncology Group, the world’s largest cooperative childhood cancer research organization. The Foundation is dedicated to educating the public, increasing awareness and raising funds for childhood cancer research. The Children's Oncology Group unites the best of the academic and clinical research worlds to move the most promising treatments from the lab into clinical trials. This association of more than 5,000 dedicated experts in childhood cancer research and treatment are located at more than 235 Children's and University hospitals, and Cancer Centers in the United States.CureSearch (www.curesearch.org) is dedicated to reaching the day when every child with cancer can be guaranteed a cure.Are you asking yet how you can personally make a difference so that a cure is found? I need not remind anyone that it is an election year. Our voices can be heard. You can by help by contacting your congressman and other elected officials and have them sign The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act HR1553 and S911. Go to: www.curesearch.org/news_and_media/news_article.aspx?id=4612 . Click on this link and it will tell you everything you need to know. Or read below:The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007 is a landmark piece of legislation which authorizes $150 million over a five-year period to expand support for biomedical research programs of the existing National Cancer Institute-designated multi-center national infrastructure for pediatric cancer research, establish a population-based national childhood cancer registry, enable researchers to more accurately study the incidence of childhood cancers and long-term effects of treatments, and provide funding for informational and educational services to families coping with a diagnosis of childhood cancer."One child who suffers from cancer is one too many,” said Congresswoman Pryce. “But today, we are introducing legislation that will bring us closer to a goal universally shared by all humanity; the eradication of pediatric cancer. Clearly, a compassionate society and one that is so abundant in its revolutionary research and advancement, can and should place a higher priority on combating childhood cancer – and that is what our bill does.” “We must launch an all-out battle against pediatric cancer by providing additional resources, improved treatment and more centralized, accessible information – all in the effort to eradicate the number one cause of death by disease for American children,” stated Chris Van Hollen.“As a parent myself, I can think of nothing more painful than a parent having to helplessly watch their child die. Here in the Congress, we are obligated to prioritize our federal spending and I can think of no greater priority than our children. They are our most valuable and precious resource we have and we must do everything we can to protect them," stated Congressman Michael McCaul. “When a child is diagnosed with cancer, suddenly the whole family’s life can change overnight. Often times, a parent will have to quit their job to stay home and care for their child,” said Senator Reed. “The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act will deliver much needed hope and support to children and families battling cancer and more resources for vital pediatric cancer research programs.”“Childhood cancer has tragically claimed far too many lives, but I believe there still is hope,” said Senator Norm Coleman. “Childhood cancer is a unique condition. Although we’re finally making progress on increasing survivorship, we’re finding that there are unique health issues faced by survivors throughout their lifetime. This legislation helps ensure that researchers, physicians and families have the tools they need to confront this disease. By working together, we can hopefully get that much closer to finding a cure to this terrible disease.”Chase Meacham, a 15-year-old cancer survivor of osteosarcoma, joined other families of children with cancer and childhood cancer advocates to share his story with congressional leaders. “The term cancer danced in and out of my mind, but I dared not utter the word. I was a child and children didn’t get cancer,” said Chase. “We need to find a cure for those lonely children because they may not be around tomorrow. Cancer is their fight, but it is our responsibility. I am here today to ask for your help and support – together, we will find a cure. Thanks to research, I am a survivor.”“CureSearch is extremely grateful to these dedicated Members of Congress who are shining a national spotlight through the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007,” said Executive Director, Stacy Haller. “We will work together to get this legislation passed. The future of our children is at stake

Here is what the LIVESTRONG organization had to say about our next president :Cancer: The Issue All Candidates Should Be Running AgainstSince President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer in 1971, the disease has never drawn any significant political attention or opposition. Until now.In August, the Lance Armstrong Foundation invited all of the presidential candidates to address the cancer burden in our country. At the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum, six candidates pledged to renew the war on cancer and to make cancer a national priority.The LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum made cancer a ballot box issue for the 2008 presidential elections. Our next president MUST be focused on the cancer issue. He or she must be committed to our health and well-being and have the political will to do something about it.Cancer must remain part of the national dialogue, and you can help. Learn about candidates' commitments to the war on cancer and spread the word to your friends and family that cancer is an important issue for our nation.Soon you will have the opportunity to cast your vote. The millions of people affected by cancer across the country are counting on you.Of the candidates that are still on the ballot at this time, Clinton, Huckabee were the only presidential candidates in attendance at this Presidential Cancer Forum. However, I understand that Obama’s mother died of cancer at the age of 52, so I believe he too may have an interest in the cause. Each and every one of us has been affected cancer. Is it your daughter, mom, sister, fatmust be focused on our health and well-being and have the political wPerhaps we all need to call Senator John McCain’s office who is still not on board yet…( I have personally already done that) His phone number is: (202) 224-2235. Tell the person that answers that we need them to deliver a message to Senator McCain. Ask that he cosponsor the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act S 911. Let them know that we are aware that he is the ONLY person who is running for President who is not a cosponsor of S 911. Please stress to them that this Law is of personal and NATIONAL concern and you want your message delivered to the senator. Be firm about this!Or you could also send a letter to John McCain via his website at http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm. please customize the letter if you have time.! By the way, has anyone notice the number of the bill? 911…We need this to be passed PRONTO!!!!Please click on the link below and watch the video:www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGS4yE5v9rMIf this were your child, would this be acceptable?