This is the kind of bad news that you hope and pray it will get better: New Jersey has the third highest pediatric cancer rate in the country, and the number of cases is increasing every year.

Of course, it will take more than prayer. To that end, Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed S-1431 and S-3724, two bipartisan bills that will increase investment in New Jersey pediatric cancer research. S-1431 establishes the Pediatric Cancer Research Fund and establishes an advisory board within the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research for the distribution of funds deposited in the fund. It also allows taxpayers to contribute to pediatric cancer research based on their gross tax return. S-3724 allocates $ 5 million to the New Jersey Pediatric Cancer Fund.

“Cancer is now the leading cause of death from disease in children under 15,” said Senate Speaker Steve Sweeney. It is imperative that we continue to invest in research to develop cures and treatments for the various forms of cancer, and that we improve screening and other preventive measures.

The main sponsors of the legislation are Sweeney and Sens. Anthony M. Bucco, Joe Pennacchio and Holly Schepisi and Assembly members BettyLou DeCroce, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Pamela Lampitt, John Burzichelli and Anthony Verrelli.