Robert Menendez

Senate Passes Menendez Resolution Designating Teen Cancer Awareness Week

December 6, 2012

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) designating the third week in January 2013 as “Teen Cancer Awareness Week.”  This is the second year Menendez introduced this resolution to promote awareness of the unique medical and social needs of teens with cancer.

“I am honored to have worked with the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation in designating Teen Cancer Awareness Week after hearing the inspiring story of 17-year-old Alicia Rose DiNatale,” said Menendez. “This designation is an important step towards increasing national awareness of the unique medical and social needs of teenage cancer patients, like Alicia, and recognizing the work of the tremendous foundations that support them, including Victorious.”

“We are overjoyed to witness the national designation of Teen Cancer Awareness Week during third week of January,” said Mario and Gisele DiNatale.  “We were very pleased to work with Senator Menendez to see the passage of this important resolution, as it will raise the national profile of teen cancer awareness and bring attention to the constant challenges faced by young people as they fight for their lives every day.”

Alicia Rose DiNatale lived in Voorhees, New Jersey and died from a rare form of cancer at the age of 17.  Inspired her spirit and strength of character, her family created the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation which helps young people with cancer maintain a sense of connection to their family, friends, and lifestyle so that they can battle their cancer with full hearts, a solid frame of mind, and determination.

Resolution language is below:

RESOLUTION

Designating the third week in January 2013 as ‘‘Teen Cancer Awareness Week’’.

Whereas cancer among adolescents is rare, but is still the leading cause of death from disease in teenagers between 15 and 19 years of age;

Whereas teen cancer patients receive treatment at a number of different medical establishments, including pediatric hospitals, pediatric oncology centers, and adult cancer facilities;

Whereas teen cancer patients may feel out of place in any of these settings if their clinical and psychosocial needs are not met;

Whereas 40 percent of cancer patients aged 14 and younger are enrolled in clinical trials, compared with only 9 percent of cancer patients between the ages of 15 and 24;

Whereas teens with cancer have unique concerns about their education, social lives, body image, and infertility, among other concerns, and their needs may be misunderstood or unacknowledged;

Whereas many adolescent cancer survivors have difficulty readjusting to school and social settings, and experience anxiety, and in some cases face increased learning difficulties; and

Whereas there exists an undeniable need not only to understand the biological and clinical needs of teens with cancer, and to seek the prevention of cancer in teens, but

also to increase awareness in the larger community about the unique challenges facing teens with cancer: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate designates the third week in January 2013 as ‘‘Teen Cancer Awareness Week’’ in order to promote awareness about teen cancers and the unique medical and social needs of teens with cancer.

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