BERKELEY – As Childhood Cancer Awareness Month begins in September, it’s a time to consider those going through a tough time, and to remember those no longer with us.
For years, Berkeley Township has named September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. They’ve urged their residents to wear gold bows or the businesses to place gold bows prominently. They even have lawn signs available.
This is to urge people to show compassion and spread awareness of this cruel disease, Mayor John Bacchione said at a recent Township Council meeting.
“It’s the leading cause of death for children under 15,” he said.
One of those who is remembered is Emiliana Rose O’Brien, who passed away on December 1, 2015 at just 13 years of age.
The family had said Emiliana had some medical complaints in January of 2015, but they had been called tendonitis and other things by doctors until the diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, finally came a few months later.
Doctors fought hard with radiation and chemotherapy. Emiliana fought hard, too, never giving up hope. That’s why her family started a foundation called Emiliana’s Hope, to help ease the suffering and spread information about this disease that no one wants to think about.
Her mother, Janet O’Brien, has said that Emiliana would ask “Why doesn’t anyone know anything about my cancer?”
Janet O’Brien was at the council meeting when the proclamation was made. She said that the town has been amazing in supporting them and getting word out. The school district does a lemonade stand and donates money.
The gold bows let people “understand that there are students and siblings who are suffering,” she said.
Emiliana’s Hope has raised more than $90,000 for osteosarcoma research.
Visit EmilianasHope.com for more information. Their online fundraising is at gofundme.com/emiliana-shope
