Children Lost To Cancer Honored At Huntington Tree Lighting

HUNTINGTON, NY — Several families devastated by the loss of a child to cancer joined together for a tree lighting ceremony outside Huntington Town Hall on Thursday. Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci was joined by Katia and Anthony Conte, of the Daniela Conte Foundation, along with other families, for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, according to a news release.

"Sadly, we are here because each of the families here has experienced the unspeakable loss of
a child who lost their battle with cancer," Lupinacci stated. "The Contes reached out to my office to shine a light on Childhood Cancer Awareness after losing their daughter, Daniela, this March to a rare cancer after battling it for three and a half years. The Contes have started a foundation in memory of Daniela. Through the Daniela Conte Foundation, Katia and Anthony's strength and conviction demonstrate a selfless dedication to our community and I know Daniela, and all the children whose names are on this tree, are looking down on us, very proud of the work you are doing in their names."

The tree, adorned in gold lights and gold ribbons bearing the names of children lost to cancer, will be lit every evening until the end of September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The lights and ribbons were donated by the Daniela Conte Foundation.

The tree lighting also honors children who are still fighting the battle against pediatric cancer, says Katia Conte, president of the Daniela Conte Foundation.

"The foundation recognized over 20 families that have been affected by childhood cancer," Katia stated. "Each child had a special gold ribbon that was placed on the tree. The tree will be lit from 6:30 p.m. to midnight the whole month of September. The Daniela Conte Foundation would like to continue this tradition every September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month."

The Daniela Conte Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded by Anthony and Katia
Conte, of Dix Hills, to honor the life of their daughter, Daniela Marie Conte, who died from a rare form of cancer called "Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma" at the age of 8 in March. The foundation's mission is dedicated to fund research, find a cure for new, promising and less toxic treatments for childhood cancer with a particular interest in Rhabdomyosarcoma.