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. 

 

This Sunday, Sept. 11, the fund's popular wine, beer and chocolate tasting returns to Freight Yard Pub. That event runs from 2 to 5 and tickets are $25. 

 

"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.