South San Francisco, CA August 27, 2021
On Wednesday September 1st at 8:30pm, Jesus Pena, father of our Princess Warrior Juliana Pena, will throw the switch to turn the South San Francisco City Hall Gold for September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Mayor Addiego has also agreed that our Sign Hill tree will continue to be lit Gold for the month as well, in response to the outpouring of pleas from the community.
“After reading many of the comments posted to this website and to Everything South City’s Facebook page, I wanted to take the time to let you know that I, along with our City Council, am fully supportive of recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness month in the way our residents deem appropriate, and are humbled that lighting this tree holds such a special place in our resident’s hearts and minds.” – Mayor Addiego
We join our community in appreciating this change of heart, and the recognition of the importance of reaching as many people as possible with information on the under funding of Childhood cancers. As the biotech birthplace, and with our Sign Hill tree viewable through much of the Peninsula and beyond, we have a unique opportunity to continue educating people on the fact, that yes, children get cancer too. Research and treatment is urgently needed so these kids can have a childhood and parents can plan birthday parties and not funerals.
To all who have had a child facing this beast, or is currently being challenged, or who may be one of the 15,780 children who will be diagnosed this year alone, we stand with you. We hope our golden lit tree on top of our Sign Hill is a beacon of hope to all.
We look forward to seeing you all.
City Hall Wednesday September 1st 8:30pm
CHILDHOOD CANCER FACTS;
*Childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades. Because of major treatment advances in recent decades, 84% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. Overall, this is a huge increase since the mid-1970s, when the 5-year survival rate was about 58%.
WE STILL MUST DO BETTER!
*Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday. Globally there are more than 300,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year.
*From the World Health Organization: The problem. Cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents, particularly in high-income countries.
WHY??
Learn more:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/key-statistics.html
https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers/child-adolescent-cancers-fact-sheet
GO GOLD!!
Download this graphic to use for your social media –
Remember those we lost – hold their families up – please add names, photos, stories so we can remember them all.
Juliana Pena spent half of her 2 1/2 years battling neuroblastoma
Jordan Ponce left us last year, Sept 27th, exactly a month after turning 11 years old, from Ewing’s Sarcoma .
Thank you. I will attend.