Each September we commemorate National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Childhood Cancer is the number one killer of kids in the United States, with around 170 children in Minnesota and nearly 11,000 children nationwide diagnosed with cancer each year.

Recently, I had a chance to meet with advocates for childhood cancer awareness in my Washington office to discuss the importance of addressing ways to combat cancer in our children, and help them lead long and productive lives. I also joined 173 of my colleagues to cosponsor H.R.3059, the Creating Hope Act, which would incentivize pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs for rare pediatric diseases, such as childhood cancers. This is a step forward in the fight to combat childhood cancer.

This past Thursday, a group of advocates in our community remembered the children affected by cancer by lighting up the 35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge. The bridge was lit as a simple but poignant reminder of the youth in our community affected by cancer.

We must work towards developing innovative new ways to fight childhood cancer, and I will remain committed to continuing that fight both in Congress and in our community.