ACTION ALERT

Legislative advocacy

Message from Mark A. Wallace to
Employees and Advocates

Please support Proposition 15 on Tuesday, Nov. 6

Next Tuesday, Nov. 6, is Election Day. In addition to Harris County bond issues, mayoral and city council member elections, several statewide constitutional amendments are on the ballot.

One of the constitutional amendments I’d like to bring to your attention is Proposition 15 – a state constitutional amendment that will create the Cancer Research and Prevention Institute of Texas. This institution will conduct research to prevent or cure cancer, support existing research efforts in Texas and implement the Texas Cancer Plan, which is a statewide blueprint for the eradication of cancer. Proposition 15, if passed, will authorize $3 billion in state general revenue bonds for the Cancer Research and Prevention Institute.

What does this amendment mean to you and to Texas Children’s Hospital? Cancer costs the state of Texas $30 billion annually in both direct and indirect costs. Half of all men and one-third of all women will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime, and by 2010, one in every 250 adults under age 55 will have survived childhood cancer. It truly is a disease that affects all families and our community.

The Cancer Research and Prevention Institute will have granting authority, and Texas Children's could be eligible for state funding to support the great work that is taking place at our hospital. Texas Children’s, as well as other Texas Medical Center institutions, have been leaders in the fight against cancer for many years. The Texas Children’s Cancer Center, led by Dr. David Poplack, is world-renowned for its innovative treatment of childhood cancer and blood disorders.

The state of Texas can take great strides forward with the passage of this amendment to support leading institutions. A high level commitment of resources led to the eradication of polio in the 20th century.

I encourage all of you to vote on Nov. 6. Early voting continues through Friday, Nov. 2, and on Election Day, polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more about Texas Children’s policy on Time Off to Vote (Policy No. HR207). (PDF10kb).

Thanks for your support.

Mark A. Wallace
President
Chief Executive Officer

Thank you for volunteering to speak up for our hospital and our patients.

If you would like more information about this campaign, please contact Rosie Valadez McStay or Denise Rose in the Government Relations department at 832-828-1300.

If you care about children and want to make a difference, become a member of Champions for Change^®, Texas Children’s new grassroots advocacy network. Join now!