Blaine House Will be Illuminated in Gold to Promote Awareness of Children with Cancer 

Governor Proclaims September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

AUGUSTA – In recognition of September being proclaimed Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Governor Paul R. LePage and First Lady Ann M. LePage will light the Blaine House goldundefinedthe color of childhood cancer awarenessundefinedon Friday evening, September 13.

“Each day the equivalent of two classrooms full of children are diagnosed with some form of pediatric cancer. Lighting the Blaine House will help raise awareness for the needs of these children and their families,” said the Governor and First Lady. “Dealing with cancer is emotionally draining, and the cost of treatment is financially draining too. We need to do everything we can to help make a very difficult time easier for the children and their families.”

According to the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. Cancer is detected in nearly 15,000 of our nation’s young people each year.

The text of the Governor’s proclamation is:

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection report cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States - this tragic disease is detected in nearly 15,000 of our nation's young people each and every year; and

 WHEREAS, founded nearly twenty years ago by Steven Firestein, a member of the philanthropic Max Factor family, the American Cancer Fund for Children, Inc. and sister organization, Kids Cancer Connection, Inc. are dedicated to helping these children and their families; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection provide a variety of vital patient psychosocial services to children undergoing cancer treatment at The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center: Department of Pediatrics; Division of Hematology/Oncology in Portland, as well as participating hospitals throughout the country, thereby enhancing the quality of life for these children and their families; and

WHEREAS, through its uniquely sensitive and comforting Magical Caps for Kids program, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection distributes thousands of beautifully handmade caps and decorated baseball caps to children who want to protect their heads following the trauma of chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation treatments; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection also sponsor nationwide Courageous Kid recognition award ceremonies and hospital celebrations in honor of a child's determination and bravery to fight the battle against childhood cancer.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAUL R. LEPAGE, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim September, 2013 as

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to recognize this observance.