Speaker 2: We do have one proclamation this evening. 589. Councilman Lopez, will you please read proclamation 589. If Lopez. Espinosa. Councilman Espinosa.
Speaker 7: He can read it now. I'll take it. So bear with me. This is a long one. So proclamation number 15 0589 Recognizing September 2015 is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Whereas a diagnosis of cancer at any age is disruptive to the lives of patients in their families worldwide, it is estimated that between 160,000 and 250,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and approximately 90,000 will succumb to their illness. In the United States alone, cancer takes more children under the age of 14 than any other disease. And. Whereas, statistically, each school day, 86 children are diagnosed with cancer, and one and one in every 285 American children develop cancer before the age of 20. And. Whereas, there have been key breakthroughs in cases of childhood, acute leukemias and pediatric cancer care. Children continue to receive chemotherapy, drugs and treatment developed in prior decades. Specifically, only three new drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat childhood cancer in the last two decades. Treatment is intense and generally includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Whereas. And. WHEREAS, although there have been tens of millions in funding allocated towards clinical trial research, there have been there has been very little improvement in the overall survival rate of childhood cancer in the last decade. There are currently more than 380,000 childhood cancer survivors in the United States. And. Whereas is an imperative that the funding and research be continued so that the children with cancer could benefit from additional cancer therapies and drugs that lead to a greater number of cures. And. WHEREAS, this month, we pay tribute to the families, friends, health care professionals and communities who lend their strength to children fighting childhood cancer, and may their courage and experience move others to pave the way for new cures and a brighter future for our children. Now, therefore, it be the claim proclaimed by the Council, the city and County of Denver, Section one, that the Denver City Council recognizes the month of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and encourages city and county of Denver residents to affirm their commitment to fighting childhood cancer by donating time or funding into appropriate programs and activities to support this cause. Section two that the Clerk and of the city and county of Denver attest and to fix the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation and that copies be transmitted to Cassandra Green. Cassandra Green, American Childhood Cancer Organization, Hope for Heroes and the Contreras Family. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Councilman Espinosa, your motion to adopt.
Speaker 7: I am president. I moved that proclamation number 15 0589 to be adopted.
Speaker 2: It has been moved and seconded comments from members of Council Councilman Espinosa.
Speaker 7: So I'm glad I didn't choke up reading this this time. It was tough to read the first time. And now that you're calling, it's choking up again. This this has hit home to the district office personally, as many of you know. Rita Contreras, longtime city employee district. One longtime desert district. One resident gave birth to a wonderful her son, Nathaniel, and he's been struggling with childhood cancer for years. And we knew at some point during her tenure with my office there would be some challenges. And those challenges came sooner than expected that Nathaniel is persevering and he's a strong fighter. And I would just like to offer the podium to Nathaniel if he'd like to speak. So. To do that, right? That's right.
Speaker 5: Um, I would like to say thank you for raising awareness for childhood cancer, because the more people who learn about childhood cancer and the challenges, the more we can fight for money to find a cure. There are many heroes, just like me, fighting for their lives every day, even though red is my favorite color. I hope you will wear gold in September in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, President.
Speaker 2: All right, Councilwoman, I take it you're up.
Speaker 8: Oh, my goodness. That's a tough act to follow. First of all, I'd like to ask that my name be added to the proclamation. And I've known Rita for a long, long time. Rita actually worked with me in my council office before before Nathaniel was born, actually. And I'm very much aware of the challenges that your family has dealt with. And I know it's symbolic of what all families go through that have children who are fighting cancer. And I just cannot imagine what those struggles are like day in and day out. And Nathaniel, you're my hero. To see you on Facebook and see that big smile, you just light up my heart and we're all fighting for you and praying for you and all of the other children who are struggling with cancer. And I appreciate you coming and reading your comments and encouraging all of us, all of the adults in our community to do our part in making sure that we fight for the the funding that's needed so that young people in our community don't have to sit around waiting and waiting and waiting for the the research and the and the medications that are needed that can make a difference in your life. So thank you for being here tonight. And I love you and your mom and just keep praying for you. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Councilwoman Ortega. Councilman Flynn.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Mr. President. Nathaniel, I just want to tell you that there will be cures found. There is always hope. 50 years ago, when I was 11, I lost a brother to cancer. And there isn't a day that goes by that we don't remember him because his cancer has a very high survival rate these days. But 50 years ago it didn't. So cures will be found. And God bless you.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilman Flynn. Councilman Lopez.
Speaker 9: Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank Councilman Espinoza for sponsoring this proclamation and also welcome, Nathaniel. I know you've been here to the city council before, and I know that your mom has worked in the city council before. And I am so, so happy to see you. I'm so happy to see you walk up to the podium and speak. You know how many people get so shy and they're so scared to come speak? Even grown ups, when they come up here, they freak out. You didn't freak out one bit. You used to really strong. And that's one thing I know about you is that you're very strong. And I'll tell you something. I had cancer, too. It was a different kind of cancer, but I did two. And I know how sometimes you got to take that chemotherapy taste like you swallowed a battery. It's gross, huh? It's really gross. And sometimes you can even feel like you're sick all the time. You feel tired. But it'll get better. You just got to believe it. And you got to believe it in here. Okay. Ethan. Right in here. All right. You spend that time with your family and your brothers, and you'll get better. You'll get better. All right. And I also know something, not talking with other council members up here and your mom. And we all know that you love Legos. You do, huh? You know you love them. Okay, I do, too. And they're mine. Are a lot different from yours. Mine didn't make sounds or they weren't cool. My Star Wars Legos. They are nothing like the Star Wars Legos now. And I'm kind of jealous, but so I'm going to bring you something special. We have a little box here of Legos from the city councils, from all of us. And it's Iron Man, because that's who you are and that's who you're going to be. Right. And it's all in his heart, right? You know that. So I'm going to give these to you. And here's something else we got from the city council to. When I had that battery taste in my mouth and I felt sick and everybody's going to laugh because I'm not skinny. The only thing that really sat well was chicken wings. That was chicken wings. John Murray chicken wings. And it was your favorite and it was my favorite and as the only thing I can eat. So I tell you what, when you get hungry again, go take your brothers and take your family and go get some chicken wings because they taste super good. I'm going to give these to you when we're done with the proclamation. But you hang in there. Okay, Hito. You get through it. Believe me, you'll get through it. All right? Love you.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilman Lopez. Councilman Espinosa, you back up.
Speaker 7: The Council President. I am the recipient of the proclamation. Cassandra is actually attending with her son Logan, who is a childhood cancer survivor. And so I just want to acknowledge that Logan is here in our audience as well.
Speaker 2: Thank you. And we will hear from them very shortly. Any other comments? From members of council. CNN Madam Secretary, Raquel.
Speaker 4: Espinosa i flynn.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 4: Gillmor i cashman I can eat Lopez I knew Ortega. I Susman Hi. Black Hi. Brooks Hi, Mr. President. Hi.
Speaker 2: I'm secretary if this goes very nasty results.
Speaker 4: 1212.
Speaker 2: Eyes five nine has been adopted. Katherine Espinosa There's something you'd like to invite up to the podium to receive the proclamation.
Speaker 7: I would like to invite Cassandra and Logan to receive the proclamation. Cassandra Green. Thank you.
Speaker 5: It's going to be really hard to follow up. Nathaniel tried to talk him into coming and doing. Do it. So. Good evening. Just over one year ago, I entered into this scary world of childhood cancer. When our five year old son was diagnosed with brain cancer. After the initial shock of diagnosis, I began researching everything relating to childhood cancer and the different treatments available. After many hours spent, I found it all to be very disheartening because of the huge lack of funding and studies being done to find a cure for our children. 4%. That is a very well known number in the childhood cancer world. Out of all of the funding for cancer in the nation, only 4% is given to help find a cure for our children. I don't know about you, but to me that's unacceptable. Our children are worth more than four. They are our future. After discovering all of these facts about childhood cancer, my family and I made a pledge that we would stand up and fight for these children because kids can't fight cancer alone. A couple of days ago, my son was asked if he could have any one wish in the world. What would it be? His reply at only six years old. He would make all of the kids sick with cancer in the world healthy. Good. Sorry. That's my wish, too. And we will fight until we find a cure. I want to thank you all so much in the city of Denver for pledging to help us fight for you. For a cure. That means the world to us. My name is Chris Andrew Green, and I'm the founder of Hope for Heroes, who Founding Hope program operating under the American Childhood Cancer Organization. Our mission is to help families through their journey with childhood cancer. All. It's possible. We would like to invite you if you are interested in helping to spread. Aware. To support families struggling with childhood cancer. To go to our Facebook page. Hope for heroes. Dot asco. To find out many ways that you can help. Denver We would so appreciate it if you would help us to turn this beautiful city gold for the month of September and help honor the brave children who are battling the biggest fights of their lives. Thank you very much.
Speaker 2: Thank you so much. And thank you, Councilman Espinosa, for bringing that forward. All right, Madam Secretary, we are on to the resolutions. Will you please read the resolutions.
A proclamation recognizing September 2015 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. A proclamation recognizing September 2015 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.