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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded the passage of his resolution to designate May 17 as DIPG Pediatric Brian Cancer Awareness Day (S.Res.231), which raises awareness of, and encourages research on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) tumors and other pediatric cancers. DIPG is not only the deadliest form of pediatric brain cancer, it also remains the second most common form of pediatric brain cancer and the average life expectancy is only 9 months. 

Rubio is proud to serve as the sponsor of the DIPG Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day for the third consecutive year, helping to raise awareness for, and urging a better understanding of pediatric cancers. 

Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mike Braun (R-IN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) cosponsored the resolution.  

The full text of the resolution is below.  

Title: Expressing support for the designation of May 17, 2021, as “DIPG Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day” to raise awareness of and encourage research on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumors and pediatric cancers in general.

Whereas diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (referred to in this preamble as “DIPG”) tumors regularly affect 130 to 300 children in the United States         each year;

Whereas brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death among children; 

Whereas DIPG tumors are the leading cause of pediatric brain cancer deaths; 

Whereas, with respect to a child who is diagnosed with a DIPG tumor and receives treatment for
       a DIPG tumor, the median amount of time that the child survives after diagnosis is only 9 months;

Whereas, with respect to an individual who is diagnosed with a DIPG tumor, the rate of survival 5 years after diagnosis is approximately 2       
       percent; 

Whereas the average age at which a child is diagnosed with a DIPG tumor is between 5 and 10 years, resulting in a life expectancy                   
       approximately 70 years shorter than the average life expectancy in the United States; and

Whereas the prognosis for children diagnosed with DIPG tumors has not improved over the past 50 years: Now, therefore, be it

 Resolved, That the Senate—

 (1) supports—

           (A) designating May 17, 2021, as “DIPG Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day”; and

           (B) efforts to—

                 (i) better understand diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumors;

                 (ii) develop effective treatments for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumors; and

                 (iii) provide comprehensive care for children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumors and
                 their families; and

   (2) encourages all individuals in the United States to become more informed about—

             (A) diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumors;

             (B) pediatric brain cancer in general; and

             (C) challenges relating to research on pediatric cancers and ways to advance such research.