Huntington Recognizes Childhood Cancer Awareness Month With Golden Tree Lighting

HUNTINGTON, NY —The Town of Huntington lit a tree gold in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September on Thursday, the town announced.

Supervisor Ed Smyth and town officials were joined by members of the Daniela Conte Foundation and families struck by the loss of a child to cancer to recognize those children and their families who suffer from cancer every day and to continue to raise awareness for others with pediatric cancer.

"Daniela Marie Conte was a strong and brave 8-year-old who was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer," the town stated. "She battled this disease bravely for years, unfortunately passing away in March 2020. Her parents, Anthony and Katia Conte, knew that Daniela was the joy of their lives, and they wanted to share her light with everyone else. Because of Daniela’s courage, her parents created the not-for-profit organization, the Daniela Conte Foundation, to not only remember their daughter, but to also provide financial assistance to families of pediatric cancer patients and fund Rhabdomyosarcoma research to help find a cure."

Related stories of local cancer nonprofits doing good work:

• 'So Brave': Boy Facing Terminal Cancer's Wish Granted By Olivia Hope Foundation (Syosset)
• Handler Hope Foundation Donates $25K For Breast Cancer; Raises $7.9K More (Northport/Huntington)
• The Chloe Belle Foundation Raises $3K In Fight Against Cancer (Northport)
• 'Go Gold' For Childhood Cancer: Sarah Grace Foundation Seeks Awareness (Hicksville)