Expand / Collapse search
☰
Red Flag Warning
until WED 6:00 PM MST, Southern Graham-Central and Eastern Cochise-Southern Greenlee-Lower Elevations of the San Carlos Apache Nation in Graham County, Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise
10
Red Flag Warning
from THU 10:00 AM MST until THU 8:00 PM MST, Southern Graham-Central and Eastern Cochise-Southern Greenlee-Lower Elevations of the San Carlos Apache Nation in Graham County, Northern Graham-Northern Greenlee-White and Gila Mountains, Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise
Red Flag Warning
from THU 10:00 AM MST until THU 7:00 PM MST, White Mountains, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County
Red Flag Warning
from THU 11:00 AM MDT until THU 8:00 PM MDT, Chinle Valley, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Black Mesa Area, Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau
Wind Advisory
from THU 10:00 AM MST until THU 7:00 PM MST, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, Chiricahua Mountains including Chiricahua National Monument, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains including Mount Graham, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties including Hannagan Meadow, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson
Wind and Dust Advisory
from THU 10:00 AM MST until THU 7:00 PM MST, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford
Wind Advisory
from THU 10:00 AM MDT until THU 9:00 PM MDT, Black Mesa Area
Wind Advisory
from THU 9:00 AM MST until THU 8:00 PM MST, Western Mogollon Rim, Grand Canyon Country, Eastern Mogollon Rim, White Mountains
Wind Advisory
from THU 12:00 PM MST until THU 5:00 PM MST, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Kaibab Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County
Wind Advisory
from THU 1:00 PM MDT until THU 6:00 PM MDT, Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Chinle Valley

Arizona State Rep. Walt Blackman urges action for pediatric cancer research

By
Published  February 18, 2025 8:17pm MST
Cancer
FOX 10 Phoenix

The Brief

    • Rep. Walt Blackman says there is a greater need for more funding and research for pediatric cancer.
    • In a news conference, Blackman honored two children who lost their lives dedicating an effort for increased funding to them.
    • Pediatric cancer is the leading disease related cause of death in U.S. children and only receives 4% of cancer research funds.

PHOENIX - State Representative Walt Blackman is raising awareness for two forms of pediatric cancer that he says are severely underfunded and under researched.

In a news conference at the Capitol Rose Garden at the Arizona State House, Blackman highlighted the need for better treatments and more funding to understand pediatric cancer.

What they're saying:

"No parent should have to hear the words ‘your child has cancer,' yet too many families face that heartbreaking reality every day," said Rep. Blackman.

"By raising awareness and pushing for real action, we can give these families hope and work toward the breakthroughs that will save lives."

The backstory:

He also made a proclamation on the House floor in honor of two children, Aaliyah Kathryn Jensen and Axel Rockell Alcantar who lost their lives to cancer.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma were the two forms of cancer that claimed the lives of the two children.

READ MORE: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk 2024

Watch FOX 10 Phoenix live:

Why you should care:

In a release, by House Republicans, they say pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the U.S. and only 4% of government-funded cancer research is allocated toward pediatrics. 

The American Childhood Cancer Organization says that an estimated 15,780 children aged 19 or younger are diagnosed with cancer every year. 

The organization adds that 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with some form of cancer before their 20th birthday.

What you can do:

There are many ways to support cancer research. 

The Cancer Support Community Arizona has programs and support groups for youth cancer patients. 

READ MORE: AZ non-profit supports cancer patients through their journey

The Source

  • Information for this story was provided by a release from the Arizona House of Representatives House Majority Caucus and the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

CancerNewsArizona PoliticsAlertsHealth