NEW JERSEY 101.5

A Garden State legislator introduced a bill to create the "New Jersey Pediatric Cancer Research Fund," which allows taxpayers to make a voluntary contribution on their income tax return. The money collected will help support cancer research projects approved by the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research.

Flickr User Ron Sombilon
Flickr User Ron Sombilon
loading...

“One of a parent’s most traumatic experiences is learning their child has cancer,” said Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce, (R-Parsippany). “The causes of pediatric cancer still perplex the medical community, but we know the heartache it causes. Medical breakthroughs to treat this disease start with research.”

The bill is in honor of a West Milford boy, Aaron Newton who is a survivor of neurablastoma cancer. Aaron and his parents are advocates for increasing awareness about childhood cancer.

“As we have seen when catastrophe strikes, New Jersey’s citizens are most generous and compassionate,” said DeCroce. “Through a voluntary check-off on a tax return, we can focus funding that is committed to researching causes and treatments for an affliction that affects children and brings anxiety and pain to their loved ones.”

According to DeCroce, the most recent statistics reveal more children lose their battle to cancer than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined. On average, one out of four elementary schools has a child with cancer. The average high school has two students who are a current or former cancer patient.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM