Local bereaved mothers who have lost children to pediatric cancers plan a series of events throughout the month of September to call attention to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop signed a proclamation declaring September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the city. As a tribute, several local mothers also “dressed” the “Crack the Whip” statue of children running hand-in-hand in Robert D. Garton Veterans Plaza near Second and Brown streets in downtown Columbus.
A prayer vigil also is planned for Sept. 17 at Columbus City Hall to pray for and comfort families impacted by childhood cancer, which is the leading cause of death among children, said Robyn Spoon, whose son Justin Spoon who died from rhabdomyosarcoma in March.
Spoon, who also runs Elevate Childhood Cancer Research and Advocacy, was among parents who gathered earlier this month for the proclamation signing at City Hall and to adorn the “Crack the Whip” statue.
Spoon said other participating included Tracy Brooks, mom to Emmie Brooks, who died from Wilms tumor in October of 2022; Cindy Cox, whose son, Matt Cleveland, died from rhabdomyosarcoma this spring; Carrie Roberts, mom to Ariel Roberts, who died from glioblastoma in January; and Kim Taylor, mom to Sarah Taylor, who died from osteosarcoma in September 2020.
Spoon said Roberts runs the Well Yeah Ariel Roberts Foundation, and Taylor runs the GLOW like Sarah advocacy organizations in their children’s names.
