[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 171 (Thursday, September 4, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 52939-52940]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21255]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 171 / Thursday, September 4, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 52939]]


                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.

[[Page 52940]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2014-21255
Filed 9-3-14; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F4