SENATE MEMORIAL 14

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Antoinette Sedillo Lopez

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE DIFFERENCE MADE BY THE CHILDREN'S CANCER FUND OF NEW MEXICO AND DECLARING FEBRUARY 1, 2023 "CHILDREN'S CANCER FUND OF NEW MEXICO DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, cancer is the second leading cause of death among children; and

     WHEREAS, in 2022, sixty-nine children in New Mexico were diagnosed with cancer and nine children have already been diagnosed in 2023; and

     WHEREAS, the children's cancer fund of New Mexico was established in 1972, and for the past fifty years, the fund has helped New Mexico's children with cancer and their families cope with the day-to-day emotional and financial needs of living with, and fighting, cancer; and

     WHEREAS, the only pediatric oncology treatment facilities in New Mexico are in Albuquerque, making it necessary for families to travel from fifteen different counties to access cancer treatment; and

     WHEREAS, the children's cancer fund of New Mexico is a local agency benefiting New Mexico's children and their families; and

     WHEREAS, the children's cancer fund of New Mexico maintains a direct presence at the university of New Mexico pediatric oncology clinic, offering financial and emotional support to families; and

     WHEREAS, the organization supports New Mexico families by providing them with assistance for transportation costs to and from the clinic with gasoline and transportation vouchers as well as providing them with food and grocery vouchers to help parents feed their families during lengthy stays at the clinic or hospital; and

     WHEREAS, the children's cancer fund of New Mexico provides emergency assistance with day-to-day living expenses for families who are facing overwhelming financial burdens because of their children's cancer diagnosis; and

     WHEREAS, the children's cancer fund of New Mexico helps to minimize the trauma of painful treatments and procedures by providing toys and bravery awards to children receiving treatment; and

     WHEREAS, the children's cancer fund of New Mexico provides scholarship assistance to students who have been treated for childhood cancer in New Mexico and wish to continue their education beyond high school; and

     WHEREAS, in the 2022-2023 academic year, thirty-two students were awarded Erin Trujeque memorial scholarships through the children's cancer fund of New Mexico, helping them to achieve their dreams; and

     WHEREAS, the children's cancer fund of New Mexico provides end-of-life hospice care and funeral assistance to families in need; and

     WHEREAS, the children's cancer fund of New Mexico will assist over one thousand persons this year, extending a helping hand to all children being treated for cancer in New Mexico and their families;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children's cancer fund of New Mexico be recognized for making a difference in the lives of families facing childhood cancer; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that February 1, 2023 be declared "Children's Cancer Fund of New Mexico Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the executive director of the children's cancer fund of New Mexico.

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