Higgins recognizes National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month on House Floor

Congressman Brian Higgins, a member of the Congressional childhood cancer caucus, spoke from the House Floor to recognize September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

In his remarks, Higgins highlighted the work of Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo in caring for young cancer patients. He urged his colleagues to support greater federal investments in cancer research.

The full text of Higgins' remarks is below:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in support our children suffering the unthinkable as we recognize September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

"Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among U.S. children over the age of 1. Moreover, cancer kills more children than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, AIDS, asthma and juvenile diabetes combined.

"There are many organizations doing good work to raise awareness, conduct research and treat children with cancer, including Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo who are working together in Western New York to cure our youngest cancer patients.

"Our children deserve to be cancer-free; they deserve the opportunity to be just kids and to have a full life; they deserve a cure. We owe it to them and their families to make it happen by supporting strong federal investments in cancer research - far beyond (what) we're doing today."

Higgins is a consistent voice for cancer patients in Western New York on Capitol Hill. Earlier this year, he stood with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Roswell Park to detail the local impact of sequestration and funding cuts on the medical research community. He testified before the House Budget Committee calling for the doubling of the nation's commitment to cancer research. Higgins also introduced H.R. 1801, bipartisan legislation that would ensure insurance parity for chemotherapy drugs.