Council proclaims Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; advocates, families recognized

Denver City Council on Monday adopted a proclamation recognizing September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and took brief remarks from councilmembers and representatives of child-focused cancer charities.

Council pro tem Romero Campbell moved the proclamation; it was recorded as adopted by voice vote with 11 ayes. Sponsors noted childhood cancer remains a leading cause of disease-related death among U.S. children and highlighted local nonprofit services that provide psychological and family support to pediatric patients.

Councilmember Flynn recalled the death of his brother from Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1964 and urged continued federal funding for childhood-cancer research. “Today, it’s very curable,” Flynn said of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and he encouraged more research and resources to help children reach adulthood after treatment.

Stephen Feierstein, representing the Kids Cancer Connection and American Cancer Fund for Children, accepted the proclamation remotely and thanked the council for honoring children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Feierstein said local charities provide therapies and programs — toy distributions, art therapy and hospital celebrations — to improve quality of life for children undergoing treatment.

The proclamation asks the city clerk to affix the seal and transmit copies to Kids Cancer Connection, American Cancer Fund for Children and other local partners. The council allotted five minutes for acceptance remarks and did not adopt any funding measures as part of the proclamation vote.

The council recorded the vote as 11 ayes; the proclamation is ceremonial and intended to support local nonprofit activity and public awareness.