September 2022 is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Clay County

The County Commission proclaimed September 2022 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month for Clay County, in its regular morning meeting Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Jessica Jackson, whose own young son is battling cancer, was in attendance to represent a group of mothers.

Her son was diagnosed in 2019 and received treatment until remission, but the cancer returned in April this year. Her family has returned to Riley Hospital, in Indianapolis, for chemotherapy and then will go on to Cincinnati for radiation therapy.

The commission approved 2022-10 unanimously, which in part reads:

Whereas, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children, and;

Whereas, 1 in 285 children in the United States will be diagnosed by their 20th birthday ...

“This is a very terrifying disease for anyone who has ever had it or even if you think about it,” said Commissioner Paul Sinders.

“Nearly 17,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. At this time there are some 40,000 kids receiving active treatment for cancer.”

The decision to mark this special awareness month comes after similar proclamations from cities such as Indianapolis, Noblesville and Carmel, Jackson said.

“I think it’s great our small county is doing this as well,” she said.

Jackson said her group’s main goal is to increase awareness that more funding is needed in support of the battle against childhood cancer.

Right now, about 4.5 percent of cancer research funding is dedicated toward childhood cancer.

She hopes that amount will increase with awareness.

After approval, Commissioner Marty Heffner commented.

“We need to remember these families in prayer,” Heffner said. “It takes a terrible toll on parents, siblings, and it has lasting effects.”

At the beginning of the Commission meeting, they approved the Aug. 1 minutes.

They also approved the WIC Armory Rental Agreement for next year, a $750 a month contract, presented by county WIC coordinator Susan Keating.

That grant runs from October through September.

Next, the Commission approved the eight General Election polling locations.

Two of the locations might change next year, said election officials who were in attendance.

Grace Chapel is not interested in serving as a polling location for the next election cycle.

And the 4-H Orange Building had some varmint problems. Mice jumped into someone’s lunch and several people were stung by insects.

Next, health nurse Kim Hyatt spoke with the Commission about the local health maintenance grant and the local trust account grant.

These grants are noncompetitive and are not reimbursement grants.

The maintenance grant amount is $33,139 and the local trust account grant is $18,112. The application is due Oct. 1 each year, Hyatt said.

The maintenance account pays sundry items, including money for the health inspector to complete restaurant inspections, a potential nurse to assist Hyatt, mileage and part of her salary.

The trust account pays numerous and varied items too, such as education fees and cell phone expenses.

“It’s a hodge podge,” she said.

The Commission approved the grant applications unanimously.