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Gov. Bevin Proclaims September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

CHOC Children's

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time set aside to help educate the public about the prevalence of childhood cancer across the U.S. and promote the need for continued research and treatment.

As part of the observance, Governor Matt Bevin has officially proclaimed Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Kentucky and will be illuminating the Kentucky State Capitol dome gold tonight.

“Sadly, childhood cancer is not rare. Like many families in Kentucky, mine knows this only too well,” said Gov. Bevin. “By spreading awareness for pediatric cancer, we can begin to make a powerful difference in the fight to eradicate it. Please be engaged, and find ways to commit your time and generosity to this worthy cause. We can do this, because we are Kentucky.”

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children. Approximately one in every 300 children in the United States will be diagnosed by his or her 20th birthday. That means 15,780 children per year, are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. alone.

“Raising awareness of childhood cancer as the number one cause of death by disease is the first step to better outcomes for the nearly 16,000 children that will be diagnosed this year,” said Jamie Ennis Bloyd, mother of a childhood cancer survivor and president of the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund. “Education is the first step towards meaningful change, and I appreciate Governor Bevin taking the lead in making sure this devastating issue gets the attention it deserves."

The Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund was created by the Kentucky legislature to enhance efforts to reduce pediatric cancer incidence and mortality. These efforts target the program needs and challenges specific to population groups and geographic regions within the Commonwealth.

Recently, the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund announced it is now taking applications for grant funding. The grants are possible because of donations made on state income tax returns. Kentuckians now have the option to check a box and make a donation to pediatric cancer research. Contributions to the trust fund will be used to advance promising Kentucky programs promoting pediatric cancer research and treatment.

For more information on National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, go online to the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

(provided by Office of the Kentucky Governor)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
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