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Springfield City Council honors Sierra Speller and Jeffrey Speller Foundation for cholangiocarcinoma awareness
Summary
The council presented a proclamation June 16 recognizing Sierra Speller’s journalism and her Jeffrey Speller Foundation for Change, noting a donation to the city’s middle school golf program and efforts to raise awareness and funds for cholangiocarcinoma research.
The Springfield City Council presented a proclamation June 16 honoring Sierra Speller for her journalism at WWLP 22 News and for founding the Jeffrey Speller Foundation for Change to raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma and expand golf opportunities for underserved youth.
Councilor Katie Walsh introduced the recognition and Councilor Govan read the proclamation, which noted Speller’s work at WWLP since 2017, her role advancing local coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic and her leadership in the foundation launched in memory of her father, Jeffrey Speller. The proclamation also listed Speller’s community roles, including corporator positions and board service.
Speller said the foundation was launched after her father’s death from cholangiocarcinoma at age 63 and described the organization’s goal of expanding access to golf and mentorship for economically challenged youth. “You can feel alone during this time, but knowing others are in similar situations and that the community is fundraising and providing support makes this time a little easier,” Speller said.
Speller told the council that the foundation’s inaugural golf tournament in August allowed the group to present the city’s middle school golf program with a “sizable donation” to help underwrite participation. She also described cholangiocarcinoma as a rare, aggressive cancer of the bile ducts and said, “annually, about 10,000 people are diagnosed with it,” attributing the figure to her remarks to the council.
Councilors offered brief remarks praising Speller’s journalism and community work. Councilor Edwards said the proclamation was “a wonderful way to honor your father and to keep his memory alive.” Councilor Delgado noted the foundation’s role in expanding athletic options for urban youth.
The proclamation was ceremonial and attested by City Clerk Gladys Ayola Lopez; no ordinance, vote or budget appropriation was recorded for the item. Speller and her mother joined council members for photographs following the proclamation.
