CureSearch Praises Passage of Landmark
"Conquer Childhood Cancer Act"
by Unanimous Consent in the United States Senate

Children with Cancer and Their Families to Benefit from Legislation

July 17, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) - CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation salutes the United States Senate for its passage of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which promises to significantly increase federal investment into childhood cancer research.

The bill, first introduced in the Senate by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Norm Coleman (R-MN), passed by unanimous consent, echoing a similar 416-0 vote June 12th in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) requested, and received, this unanimous consent on the Senate floor.

The bill authorizes $30 million annually over five years, providing funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research, to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and to further improve public awareness and communication regarding available treatment and research for children with cancer and their families.

"Too many young people's lives were cut short by cancer, but their hopes were not," said Reed. "We have made great advances in treating cancer, but there is still much more to be done. 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."

Senator Coleman, an original sponsor, noted that the legislation passed unanimously in both Houses of Congress, and lauded the overwhelming bi-partisan support of the measure, which addresses a critical national health issue that is finally receiving the attention it deserves.

"Passage of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act in the Senate is a monumental step in the fight against childhood cancer," said Coleman. "I am proud that my colleagues were able to come together and pass legislation that will provide the resources to not only support children and families with childhood cancer, but also find a cure."

CureSearch supports the life-saving research of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's premier cancer research collaborative. Treating 90 percent of children with cancer, the Children's Oncology Group includes more than 5,000 experts in childhood cancer research and treatment, located at more than 200 leading children's and university hospitals across North America.

"The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act allows for translation of the very best research discoveries into clinical evaluation and practice, in order to improve the cure rates for all children with cancer," stated Gregory Reaman, MD, Chair of the Children's Oncology Group.

"On behalf of my colleagues in the Children's Oncology Group and the children with cancer and their families who are our partners in clinical research, we thank our leaders in the Senate. Only research cures childhood cancer."

"We applaud the leadership of Senators Reed and Coleman and their colleagues in the Senate who through the passage of this bill have made finding the cure for childhood cancer an urgent national priority. Together with their colleagues in the House, Congress has given childhood cancer the attention and support that is long overdue and much needed," said Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director of CureSearch.

Having passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously, the bill now heads to the White House, where President Bush is expected to sign it into law.

 

 

 

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see;

If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,

While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,

And each time you think of me I know you’ll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready, in heaven far above,

and that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
for every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.

Well, I haven't posted in while.  I don't think anyone reads this anyway.  It is just for me.  Somehow I feel anonymous on the world wide web, so that is why I do this.  This time of year seems to be really hard for me (March-May).  March 2004 was the first time that Taylor complained that her leg hurt.  I will never forget the first time those words came out of her mouth.  It seemed so insignificant then.  But now, it is like it was the beginning of the end.  For two months after that there were doctor's visits after doctor's visits trying to figure out what was wrong with my precious child.  I never imagined she would be diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  On May 27th, 2004, we were told that she had a huge tumor in her pelvis.  There was a possibility it was benign, but it was not likely.  That was the day that my life was forever changed.  I would never be the same again.  You go through all these emotions wondering what in the world you could have done differently.  You wonder why you didn;t know?  or why you didn't take her to a better doctor that could have found it before it spread.  You are angry.  You wonder why God has done this.  It doesn't make sense at all.  Why would a sweet, innocent child get cancer?  What in the world is going on.  Anyway, back to my story.  When she was first diagnosed, there was a possibility that it had not spread.  Oh how I prayed for that.  I begged and prayed and bargained, but it was not to be.  We were eventually told that she had some very small nodules in her lungs.  It was Stage 4.  I had no idea what her survival odds were because I told them I did not want to know.  I told them my daughter was special, and she was going to fight this and win!  This was all going on during the end of May into the beginning of June.  So I have noticed that every year so far since she was diagnosed, I am so completely sad and lost during this time.  So much went on during this time.  There were so many emotions and so many tears.  My heart broke on May 27th and has been broken ever since.         

Well its been over a month since I posted, AGAIN.  Wow how time just slips by.  I continue to search for meaning in the death of my daughter.  I really want to find a way to honor her in her death and help other children and their families dealing with the awful beast, CANCER.  It is just so hard to find my way.  I miss her and my heart aches for her.  It is so hard because I am so bitter and angry.  I want to know why she had to suffer, why she had to die.  Sometimes I feel so paralyzed by grief.  Its kind of like cancer.  If it gets in your body it just grows inside of you and takes over.  I fear I have let it take over my life.  I am haunted by memories of her sickness.  I often have dreams about her being sick or that I cannot find her and wake up to darkness so sad to be without her.  I pray every night that I might have good dreams about her because the dreams always feel so real.  So maybe the good dreams will be like seeing her again.  But it never happens.  Don't get me wrong, I am not always so negative.   I think about all the good times with her.  I love those memories so much.  She was such a beautiful child.  She was one of those children that made you want to have three more like her.  She was so easy going.  She was super compliant.  She was very kind to others.  She was a girly girl--all about pink, frills and princesses.  That girl was truly meant to be my child.  We fit together like peas and carrots (yes I have seen Forest Gump too many times)!  She didn't even get on my nerves like my other kids could.  She had the best sense of humor.  It was so cute.  Her whole family just adored for.  I look at pictures of her before she was sick and I long for that child.  It is weird because I feel like I have had to grieve my child more than once.  When I was pregnant with Taylor, I envisionsed this beautiful child that would grow up and do ballet and all those girly girl kinds of things.  When she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, I had to greive that "perfect" child I had envisioned.  I, of course, was blessed with a more beautiful child than I could have ever imagined.  She was perfect to me, and I loved her.  Then, when taylor got diagnosed with cancer I lost the child she was before.  She could not longer walk nor dance around like she used to.  She would go days or even weeks barely saying a word.  She was so sick from the chemo that she sometimes could not get out of bed for days.  I greive the loss of that child.  Oh how I miss that child.  While she rarely complained and tried to keep that beautiful dimpled smile.  She just was not the same when the cancer and chemo ravished her little body.  There were small glimpses of that child during treatment, but there was a lot of pain and suffering endured by her and it showed in her personality.  After the chemo was done, there was a glimpse of who she used to be right before the cancer took over her little body for good.  And then she was gone.  So, at times I feel like I am greiving two children.  Strange, huh?!?!?  I miss that little girl that she was before the cancer.  I also miss the little girl she became because of the cancer.  She still was sweet, kind and loving...only she was a bit spunky after the cancer. 

I often go up to the room where I keep her things, and I am saddened by the sight of her things.  It all that is left of her here on earth.   Sure there are memories and love, but sometimes I guess we humans need things that are tangible to feel close to someone.  Sometimes the memories just aren't enough.  The memories make me feel empty and lonely for her.  Eight years with her was not enough for me.  I feel very blessed to have had those eight years with her.  My life was truly changed and improved beyond belief by her.  She changed me as a person and made me a better person.  I only wish I could have had her longer, but God had other plans.  I will never understand I know, but I do pray that some kind of peace comes that allows me to find away to help other children with cancer so that I may honor her.

Denise

CANCER SUCKS 

Blake asked if Taylor had a journal.  I am not sure why he asked that, but he said wanted to write something to her.  So here it is:

  I  love    you   I miss  you  Love  BLAKE

Blake wanted to "draw" Tay a picture, so here it is.  This is a picture of him and Tay.