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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-165
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
February 2, 2016
To declare February 4, 2016, as “World Cancer Day” in the District of Columbia, to raise awareness of cancer, and to promote prevention, detection, and treatment through global efforts that aim to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer by 2020.
WHEREAS, World Cancer Day was established at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris on February 4, 2000;
WHEREAS, the summit served to promote research for curing and preventing the disease, strengthening services offered to patients, and mobilization of the global community against cancer;
WHEREAS, roughly 14 million people receive a diagnosis and 8 million people die from cancer worldwide every year, out of which, 4 million die prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years);
WHEREAS, cancer is the second-leading cause of death among Americans -- one of every 4 deaths in the United States is due to cancer;
WHEREAS, cancer is also the second-leading cause of death among District residents, with the overall death rate being 177 deaths for every 100,000 people;
WHEREAS, the forms of cancer most prevalent in the District are prostate, lung, breast, and colon, with death rates being the highest in Ward 5;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia Department of Health recognizes a growing disparity in White and African American residents dying from the disease, with African Americans having a mortality rate of 250 per 100,000, more than double the rate of White residents (112 per 100,000);
WHEREAS, the American Research Institute estimates that about 1/3 of the most common cancers can be prevented simply with proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices; and
WHEREAS, World Cancer Day serves as a day for District citizens, government agencies, and public interest groups to reflect on current progress and future action needed for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “World Cancer Day Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia emphasizes its support and commitment to raising awareness and developing pratical strategies to drastically reduce cancer rates across the city, nation, and globe, and declares February 4, 2016 as “World Cancer Day” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
