The Police Department is selling childhood cancer awareness patches for $10 to benefit the AYJ Fund. The fund is also holding a tasting event on Sunday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An average of 42 children are diagnosed with cancer every day in American and more than 40,000 undergo treatment for cancer each year.
The majority will develop chronic ailments and severe and life-threatening conditions from those treatments. And while the five-year survival rate is now 80 percent, children with brain cancer can have a survival rate of less than 1 percent.
Those were the numbers read by Mayor Jennifer Macksey in her recent proclamation designating September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the city. The proclamation has become an annual presentation to the City Council largely due to the advocacy of Joe and Kathy Arabia.
"I greatly appreciate the support of Mayor Macksey and also the City Council in this community," said Kathy Arabia. "These numbers are staggering. They are not getting better for any of the children that are impacted by this disease."
The Arabias are the founders of the AYJ Fund, established in honor of their daughter Anna Yan Ji Arabia, who died from a rare brain cancer called gliomatosis cerebri in 2013.
"We are helping more and more families since the last time we were here," continued Arabia. "We've connected with more than 25 families ... this is close to home for us and it's in our community and we're fighting to make a difference for these kids and we just appreciate all the support of this community."
The fund has two local programs Berkshire and Southern Vermont children. The Smile program provides gifts and experience to children with cancer and the Connections program keeps children connected with school and friends while undergoing treatment.
The fund over the years has supported not only local families with children suffering from cancer but research into childhood brain cancers, especially gliomatosis cerebri. The median survival rate for children with this cancer is one to two years, according to the Dana-Farber Institute. Anna fought the disease for 3 1/2 years before dying at 16.
Joseph Arabia said the couple are very committed to the work of finding a cure or beneficial treatment. The fund has been a lead sponsor in gliomatosis cerebri conferences and will be hosting its fourth next fall in New York City. The last conference was held in 2019 prior to the pandemic.
Arabia said the pandemic has had an effect on in-person fundraising efforts but that they are looking forward to resuming those after a 2 1/2 year hiatus. The fund was able to hold an outside, socially distanced event at Balderdash Winery last year that raised more than $10,000.
"The researchers we are working with are making discoveries every day that will lead to effective treatments for these kids," said Kathy Arabia.
Her husband, agreed: "We don't want to lose ground, we've got the momentum."
Macksey pointed out in her proclamation that childhood cancers only gets 4 percent of federal research funding for cancers.
"I call on our residents to support efforts to increase awareness and support of childhood cancer research for better treatment," she said. "And I also like to thank the Arabia family for all the work they do with it. I know it's near and dear to your heart, like we do every day is so important."
The North Adams Police Department is also selling patches for Childhood Cancer Awareness for $10 to benefit the AYJ Fund. Ask an officer or stop by the station to get one. And Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is again lighting up "Tree Logic" with golden lights to recognize the month.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Greylock Federal Awards Student Scholarships
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union awarded 34 scholarships to high school seniors from every public high school in Berkshire County and Columbia County, N.Y.
Greylock awarded 25 $500 Greylock Community Enrichment Scholarships to students who exemplify positive community spirit and demonstrate respect and concern for their peers in everything they do, stated a press release.
Applicants were required to write an essay, which demonstrated their positive involvement in the community.
"Our scholarship selection committee reviewed every application and essay," said Jennifer Connor-Shumsky, Greylock's Assistant Vice President, Community Support and Events, of the process which received more than 80 applications. "It was really tough to narrow it down, because there were so many incredible students doing some amazing work in the community."
The funds will be applied toward state-accredited or nationally accredited two or four-year colleges or universities, or a full-time technical school program.
"For the first time ever, we were thrilled that two of the scholarships went to students entering a technical/vocational school," said Connor-Shumsky.
In addition to these scholarships, Greylock offers Scholastic Achievement Awards, which are designated for children of Greylock employees who are also high school graduates. This year, Greylock awarded nine $1,000 Scholastic Achievement Awards. These awards are available to all employees.
West Dews ran for 137 yards, Landon Corcoran made big plays down the stretch and the Wahconah defense made the biggest stop of the night to stymie a comeback drive in the closing minutes of a 22-18 win over rival Hoosac Valley on Friday night.
click for more
It was a quick start for the McCann Hornets (4-1-1), finding the back of the net for the game's only goal just three minutes in. The goal was set up after a forced turnover around midfield when Ashton Solomon set up Collin Boyd.
click for more
In addition to the annual "Moment of Appreciation" school tradition when graduates each give a flower to a faculty member who impacted their life in a significant way, two seniors made appreciation for their parents a major theme of their remarks.
click for more