During the City Council meeting on September 20th, Mayor Paul Callaghan read a proclamation declaring September 25th to October 1st, 2022 to be Childhood Cancer Awareness Week.

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection report cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15. This tragic disease is detected in more than 16,000 of our country’s young people each and every year; and 
 
WHEREAS, one in five of our nation’s children loses his or her battle with cancer. Many infants, children and teens will suffer from long-term effects of comprehensive treatment, including secondary cancers. An estimated 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer globally each year; and
 
WHEREAS, founded nearly thirty years ago by Steven Firestein, a member of the philanthropic Max Factor cosmetics family, the American Cancer Fund for Children, Inc., Kids Cancer Connection, Inc. along with Lions Clubs International are dedicated to helping these children and their families; and
 
WHEREAS, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection provide a variety of vital patient psychosocial services to children undergoing cancer treatment at The Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Lebanon, as well as participating hospitals throughout the country, thereby enhancing the quality of life for these children and their families; and
 
WHEREAS, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection also sponsor toy distributions, positive appearance programs, pet-assisted therapy, educational programs, and hospital celebrations in honor of a child’s determination and bravery to fight the battle against childhood cancer.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Paul Callaghan, do hereby proclaim September 25 to October 1 2022 to be Childhood Cancer Awareness Week in the City of Rochester, New Hampshire.