Last evening a group of City Officials and neighbors met up on the roof top of the Miller Avenue Parking Garage to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Tree Lights on Sign Hill. The City Council has agreed to do this in honor of our Princess Warrior, Juliana Pena, who died from Neuroblastoma in 2012. She was only 2 1/2.
Her parents Patricia Watson and Jesus Pena have made it their lives mission to advocate in her memory for treatment and cures to help other children who must face this diagnosis and battle. Each day 46 kids are diagnosed with cancer. And today 7 kids will die from cancer. There are 13 other cancers that take the lives of children, Neuroblastoma is one of them. This is the one that took Juliana away from her parents and prompted them to found Juliana’s Journey Foundation
Government funds $9 Billion towards cancer research, yet only 3% of that goes towards Childhood Cancers. And of that only 3% goes specifically to Neuroblastoma – a total of $150K. Juliana’s Journey, the 501 (c) (3) organization founded by Julaina’s parents, is committed to raising awareness and funds to increase the dollars being spent. They recently presented a $15,000 check to UCSF Medical Center for Neuroblastoma research.
An anonymous donor has promised to match dollar for dollar of monies donated to Juliana’s Journey during the month of September, as September is Childhood Awareness Month. For more information please CLICK HERE.
The Christmas Tree was very special to Juliana and she would watch it each night from her bedroom window until the wee hour of midnight when it would switch off. As we enjoy this sight on our Sign Hill we will remember Juliana. And we must continue to share her story and the efforts being done in her memory. Because kids get cancer too.
Officials & neighbors watched as the Sign Hill Tree was lit in honor of Juliana Pena
Photo: Rick Ochsenhirt
Juliana’s parents, Jesus & Patricia at the podium on top of the Miller Ave Parking Garage. City Officials behind them
Photo: Rick Ochsenhirt