A resolution designating September 2005, as "Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Awareness Month".

Mr. President, I am here today to ask for my colleagues' support for a resolution designating September as Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness Month. Today, I want to speak specifically about leukemia, a disease that affects nearly 200,000 Americans.

Leukemia is a devastating cancer of the blood that will kill almost 23,000 people this year alone. It is rare to find anyone today who does not know someone, a family member or a friend, who has battled leukemia. Recently, one of my former staff members, Jess Eiesland, was diagnosed with leukemia. He is only 28. He left my office in May of this year to follow in his father's footsteps and pursue a career in finance. On June 18th, Jess was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a form of the disease characterized by the uncontrolled production of immature white blood cells by the bone marrow. Jess is now back in South Dakota with his family and traveling to Minnesota to undergo an 11-week course of chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant.

In comparison, Jess is one of the lucky ones. His leukemia was caught early and he has just learned that his sister, Laura, is a bone marrow match. This match will reduce Jess' risk of developing severe side effects from the transplant or rejecting the new cells. Only 30 percent of patients in need of a bone marrow transplant have a matching donor in their families. Others have to depend on the kindness of strangers who have registered their bone marrow types with the National Bone Marrow Registry and volunteered as donors. In honor of Jess, a bone marrow registration drive is being held in Room 124 of the Senate Hart building on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Because of the risk of rejection associated with bone marrow transplants and the difficulty in finding donors, the National Institutes of Health and the private sector have developed other promising leukemia treatments, such as cord blood transplants and the pharmaceutical drug, Gleevec, the first of a slew of promising new drugs that target the underlying causes of the disease. To promote these innovative treatments, we must continue to support biomedical research. I applaud the efforts of our distinguished colleagues, Senators Hatch and Dodd, who introduced legislation earlier this year that would encourage cord blood donations and registrations. This legislation has already been reported favorably by the HELP Committee and I hope the full Senate can take it up and pass it soon. Additionally, the Senate has requested a $1 billion dollar funding increase for the NIH in fiscal year 2006 to promote Federal research and innovation.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution designating September as National Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness Month. Doing so will further disseminate information regarding treatment innovations and will encourage Americans to become bone marrow or cord blood donors.

Mr. President, I wish to express my support for designating September as Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month. It is estimated that leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma will kill 60,500 people in the United States this year and that 110,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. With more than 700,000 Americans living with blood cancers, it is crucial that we come together to reinvigorate our resolve and continuously intensify our fight for a cure.

I am pleased to join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in encouraging all to put aside time to reflect on what has been achieved so far in fighting blood cancers, spread lifesaving knowledge, and set our sights on progressive goals to advance our ability to support and treat those living with leukemia and lymphoma. Together, we can push forward critical research and keep the eradication of these diseases at the forefront of dialogue and education in our local and national communities.

I applaud the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for its support of treatment and research. Such work is integral to our ability to understand these illnesses and energize our fellow citizens in this very worthy endeavor. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has provided an outstanding model of advocacy and paved the way for others to get involved.

I am pleased to invite my colleagues to join me in acknowledging Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month. I hope that you will use this time as inspiration for continued thoughtful leadership on this critical health issue.

I further ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to this measure be printed in the Record.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 241, which was introduced earlier today by Senator Jeffords.