Wendel presented the proclamation on Child Cancer Awareness month at the August County Legislature meeting. He said in it that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States, with it being estimated that 10,470 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer this year and about 1,050 will die.

Speaking with WRFA in his monthly interview, Wendel said he recently learned that a 16-year old son of a former co-worker was recently diagnosed with cancer, “Thinking of that family, a month ago you’re thinking about starting the school year and the excitement and then within a couple weeks you’re diagnosed with a form of cancer. And I can’t imagine what that’s like for the family because it just stops your world. You’re not focused on going back to school, or school shopping, or picnics, or parties. It’s ‘What do we do?’ and ‘What’s the long road ahead of us?’ and the doctors and the poking and the prodding and the treatments.”

Wendel said since 2020, only six new cancer drugs for pediatric cancer have been developed in comparison to the multitude of cancer drugs being developed for adults.

Tara Swan, mother of Kallie Swan who died at the age of 3 from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2013, spoke at the County Legislature meeting as well. She was joined by Bella Lisciandro, who is a sophomore at Jamestown High School, and Lucas Gibbons, “Bella was diagnosed in 2013 and still continues to, every day, battle and deal with the side effects as well the residual disease of her brain tumor.”

Swan said Lucas was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 as well. She said childhood cancer is greatly underfunded in comparison to cancer that affects adults, “Like Mr. Wendel had mentioned, it’s only had six new drugs created and they’re finding, obviously, that these drugs are affecting the kids differently than it is the adults. So, we continue to battle with it. We appreciate the awareness in September, but unfortunately it’s something that we live with every day.”

Governor Kathy Hochul had 15 landmarks and bridges across New York illuminated Tuesday night in yellow in recognition of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

To learn more about childhood cancers visit: https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers

K9 “Kal” is a 13-month old, all black German Shepherd K9 named after Kallie Swan who passed away at the age of 4 due to Leukemia in May 2015. Kallie was the daughter of Jamestown Police Sergeant Shane Swan and Tara Swan.

K9 Officer Erik Kraft and K9 Kal will begin officer training Monday in Syracuse.

Kal replaces K9 Promber in the Department after Promber’s sudden death in July.

LAKEWOOD – The sixth annual Kallie’s Krusade Fundraising Event will take place on Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club.

The event is used to help raise funding for families who have children facing childhood cancer or other diseases. It is held in memory of the late Kallie Swan, daughter of local residents Shane and Tara Swan, who succumbed to acute lymphoblastic leukemia in May 2015 at the age of 3 following a courageous battle.

“Kallie’s Krusade will bring financial relief and community support to families stricken with childhood disease. Kallie’s Krusade vows to bring honor to those who have fallen to childhood illness through continuous efforts of raising knowledge and awareness to the cause,” said Tara Swan. “Hand in hand, with all of the childhood disease survivors, Kallie’s Krusade will instill in the community that there is always hope and help in a seemingly endless battle.”

A variety of events and activities are planned for throughout the day. Details and Registration for all special events can be done at KalliesKrusade.org.

The day will kick off at 10 a.m. with a motorcycle ride around Chautauqua Lake with a stop in Bemus Point, followed by our 5K color run. There will also be a corn hole tournament as well as events for the whole family including kids games and activities.

Kallie’s Krusade, named in honor of the late Kallie Swan who captured the community’s heart during her courageous battle with a rare form of childhood cancer. The organization has been able to donate over $128,500 to families, organizations and hospitals since first becoming established in 2013.

For more information on the organization or this Monday’s events, visit KalliesKrusade.org.

The event will feature the Jamestown Firefighters and Police Officers playing against the Lakeview Shock Facility Corrections Officers. It will be held at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.

There is no cost to attend the game, but each attendee is asked to purchase a $5 50/50 raffle ticket. Winner need not be present to win.

The event begins at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, August 29.

The parents of Kallie Swan, Tara and Shane, help to unveil a memorial plaque and swing set in Kallie’s honor on Aug. 11, 2015. (Image courtesy of Kallie’s Krusade Foundation’s Facebook page.

JAMESTOWN – A new piece of playground equipment has been installed at Jamestown’s Allen Park in honor of Kallie Swan, the 3-year-old Falconer girl who captured the hearts and support of the community during her courageous battle against cancer.

On Tuesday, family, friends and supporters of Kallie’s Krusade gathered at Allen Park for the dedication of a swing set to Kallie, who died May 6 after a battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The dedication also included the unveiling of a bronze plaque and was made possible by the Allen Park Women’s Club and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

To donate to Kallie’s Krusade Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed by Kallie’s family and others to raise funding for local families dealing with pediatric cancer, visit www.kallieskrusade.org.

Kallie Swan died Wednesday, May 6 after a courageous battle with cancer. (image from Kallie’s Krusade Facebook page)

JAMESTOWN – The entire community is mourning the loss of little Kallie Swan, the brave three-year-old who lost her battle to cancer on Wednesday.

Kallie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2013. Since then, supporters have rallied to Kallie’s side by participating in the Kallie’s Krusade Campaign and urging the entire community to “fight like a girl” against childhood Cancer. The campaign has become a non-profit endeavor with 100 percent of the money raised going to help other families in the community whose lives have been stricken with pediatric cancer.

To celebrate Kallie’s life, the community is encouraged to take part in Light the Night for Kallie on Friday night, when glowing orange lights are expected to illuminate the night sky beginning at 7 p.m.

Light bulbs can be purchased at Levant Wesleyan Church, located at 1670 Lindquist Drive in Falconer. Bulbs are $5 each, with half of the money going toward Kallie’s Krusade.

JAMESTOWN – On Saturday, October 4th the second annual Kallie’s Krusade Benefit Fundraiser will take place.

Kallie’s Krusade is named for local resident Kallie Swan, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2013. Since then, her family has been working to get Kallie the treatment she needs to fight the disease, while also trying to raise awareness about the hardship and struggles that so many other families in similar situations encounter.

Kallie’s Krusade is designed to bring financial relief and community support to families stricken with childhood disease. The benefit will feature a Wellness Expo, a blood drive and a Bone Marrow Donor Drive.

There will also be a Police escorted Motorcycle Run around the Chautauqua Lake followed by a 5k Run/Walk. The day will finish with a hockey game where our local law enforcement will take on the Buffalo Sabres Alumni at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.

• REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN/SUPPORT KALLIE’S KRUSADE 2014

More information, including Registration forms, are available at Jamestown, Ellicott and Lakewood Police Departments or online at kallieskrusade.org.