State Senator Joe Uecker (R-Miami Township) today joined Kayleigh Hogan, 9, of Clermont County and her parents in celebrating the Hogan family’s successful efforts to bring back Ohio’s pediatric brain tumor awareness license plates. The specialty plates support the Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation, which raises funds to support the families of children treated for brain cancer.
Kayleigh Hogan was diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor in April of 2014.
Kayleigh’s father, Sean, reached out to Senator Uecker after the state refused to sell him license plates supporting pediatric brain tumor awareness. The state discontinued selling the plates after the Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation failed to sell the required minimum number prescribed by Ohio law.
The law was not updated after the adoption of new plate printing technology that allows unique license plates to be printed without disruption in the production process even when smaller specialized orders are requested.
“The law simply failed to keep up with advancing technology and we knew something needed to be done,” said Uecker. “It was my honor to help the Hogans in their efforts to raise awareness and support for the kids and families battling this terrible disease.”
Under current law, the state is required to discontinue selling specialty license plates when sponsors do not meet the minimum sales requirement of 500 plates within one calendar year.
After Senator Uecker received the call from Sean Hogan, he quickly introduced legislation to require the state to continue production of the pediatric brain cancer license plates.
For each plate sold, the Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation receives $35 to help fund research and other programs.
Senator Uecker’s legislation requiring the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to continue printing the Pediatric Brain Tumor awareness plates took effect earlier this year.
Ohioans can learn more about Pediatric Brain Tumor awareness specialty license plates, by visiting the Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s website at www.bmv.ohio.gov.