Rep. Hank Johnson introduces resolution to increase awareness of rare cancer, chordoma

Congressman honors staff member Joshua Smith diagnosed with chordoma this year

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today that he introduced a resolution to raise awareness of a rare form of cancer called chordoma after a member of his staff was diagnosed with the rare condition earlier this year.

[Watch the Congressman’s floor speech HERE]

Classified as a rare cancer of the spine and skull, chordoma is diagnosed in just 1,000 people worldwide every year, 300 of whom are in the United States.

“Earlier this year, a member of my staff, Joshua Smith, was diagnosed with chordoma,” said Rep. Johnson. “While he is currently recovering and back at work, it is essential that we shed light on chordoma and rare cancers that impact members of our family – our personal families and work families.”

Chordomas are among the most complicated tumors to treat because they are located in the brain stem, spinal cord, and important nerves and arteries around the brain stem. No treatments are known to cure or effectively control the disease, which today consists of surgeries and radiation.

The resolution seeks to lift up chordoma patients and families need to increase funding and support for accurate and early diagnosis, the development of new treatments, diagnostics, and cures, fewer hurdles between research and new treatments; and patient-centric approaches to drug discovery and development.

Read the resolution HERE.

Pictured: Congressman Johnson with communications staffer Joshua Smith at a recent district event celebrating small businesses in Georgia’s Fourth District.