Dated: August 23, 2023
IN RECOGNITION OF SEPTEMBER AS
CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time when we celebrate advances in childhood cancer treatment and survivorship care, remember the children we’ve lost, and engage new advocates to join in our mission of achieving a day when every child with cancer can live a long and healthy life; and WHEREAS, 47 children per day – or 17,293 children per year – are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Childhood cancer is not one disease – there are more than 12 major types of pediatric cancers and over 100 subtypes; and
WHEREAS, Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children.
Worldwide, 100,000 children lose their lives every year to cancer; and WHEREAS, only six drugs have been approved in the first instance for use in children. This is compared with hundreds of drugs that have been developed and approved for adults; and
WHEREAS, more than 95 percent of childhood cancer survivors will have a significant health-related issue by the time they are 45 years of age; these health-related issues are side-effects of either the cancer or more commonly, the result of its treatment; and
WHEREAS, childhood cancer has touched many in our South San Francisco community. Among them, Jesus Pena and Patricia Watson, who lost their 33-month-old daughter Juliana, to Neuroblastoma; and
WHEREAS, as the color gold is significant and symbolic because it represents childhood cancer, the tree on Sign Hill shines bright during the month of September in honor of Juliana, and all the other families that have been affected by childhood cancer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby recognize September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which is a time to recognize the children and families affected by childhood cancers and to emphasize the importance of supporting research on these devastating conditions.
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Buenaflor Nicolas, Mayor
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Mark Nagales, Vice Mayor
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Mark Addiego, Councilmember
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James Coleman, Councilmember
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Eddie Flores, Councilmember