The City of Bayonne recently recognized September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall.
Attending the ceremony were parents, children, elected officials, police officers, firefighters, and Board of Education representatives. The event was held in honor of children, parents, caregivers, and others who have been affected by childhood cancer.
The flag raising ceremony was organized by Sharon Romano and Marie Costantino, who are known as “two moms on a mission.” Attendees included City Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker, Mayor Jimmy Davis, Sharon Romano, Marie Costantino, Delaney Reed, City Council President Gary LaPelusa, Council Member At-Large Juan Perez, Bishop Martin Rivera of the Fountain of Salvation Church in Jersey City and First Ward Council Member Neil Carroll.
According to statistics from St. Jude Children Research Hospital, on average, more than 290 children and adolescents in the United States are diagnosed with cancer every week. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped improve the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% in the U.S. since the hospital opened in 1962.