Honourable senators, I rise today to highlight that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This is a time dedicated to shining a light on the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society who are courageously battling cancer. It’s a time to raise awareness, to honour the children and their families who are affected and to advocate for continued research and support.

Every year, approximately 1,500 children in Canada are diagnosed with cancer, making it a leading cause of death by disease among Canadian children past infancy. Despite significant advancements in treatment, many childhood cancers remain incurable, and the journey for those diagnosed is often long and arduous. Families are thrust into a world of uncertainty, fear and unimaginable challenges. I’m certain that some of you, if not many of you, can relate to these feelings.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is symbolized by the gold ribbon, representing the preciousness of children and the resilience they exhibit. I rise today to ask that you join me in supporting this initiative and in raising awareness by wearing the gold pin that I’ve sent to each of your offices. This month, we join together to support these brave children, their families and the health care professionals who work tirelessly to provide care and hope.

It’s also a time to acknowledge the critical need for ongoing research. Pediatric cancer research is crucial, yet it remains underfunded compared to adult cancers. By increasing our commitment to research, we can aspire to not only improve survival rates but also enhance the quality of life for survivors.

Organizations and charities across the country play an essential role in providing support services to our youth, and they also deserve recognition and support. For example, Childcan is an organization dedicated to providing emotional support as well as social and financial relief for families working through cancer treatments with their children. They are the organization that provided the pins that you, my honourable colleagues, received.

Honourable senators, let’s use Childhood Cancer Awareness Month as an opportunity to reflect on the impact of this devastating disease and renew our commitment to making a difference. Together, we can support those who need it most and work towards a future where no child must face cancer.

Thank you, meegwetch.