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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Smiles from Heaven, a nonprofit organization |
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founded in 2019, is making a positive impact in the lives of |
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children who are battling cancer; and |
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WHEREAS, Ray and Betsy Sanchez established Smiles from Heaven |
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in loving memory of their two-year-old daughter, Bella Serena |
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Sanchez, who passed away on April 9, 2019, following her fight with |
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leukemia; the organization is dedicated to promoting childhood |
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cancer awareness and to giving support, assistance, and hope to |
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children and families receiving treatment for pediatric cancer or |
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blood disorders; and |
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WHEREAS, Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death |
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for children past infancy in the United States; each year, |
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approximately 175,000 families around the world hear the |
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devastating news that their child has cancer, but thanks to |
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improvements in treatment, more than 80 percent of patients with |
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pediatric cancer in the U.S. will become long-term survivors; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its inception, Smiles from Heaven has |
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advocated for childhood cancer awareness throughout the state and |
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nation in partnership with Be the Match, the South Texas Blood and |
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Tissue Center, and GenCure; it has cumulatively served over 1,000 |
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families, provided free travel totaling more than 1,000 miles to |
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specialized treatment centers, and donated some 21,000 miles worth |
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of fuel to help allay families' travel expenses; in addition to |
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offering financial assistance, the organization hosts support |
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groups and other programs to help parents and children cope with the |
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emotional stresses that accompany a cancer diagnosis; and |
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WHEREAS, Smiles from Heaven has been a source of |
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compassionate guidance to South Texas families going through a |
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difficult and uncertain journey, and it is a pleasure to recognize |
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this commendable organization and the inspiring work it has |
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accomplished; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Smiles from Heaven for its service to and |
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advocacy in behalf of children living with cancer and extend to all |
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those affiliated with the organization sincere best wishes for the |
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future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Raymond |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 169 was adopted by the House on March |
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10, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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