Proclamations

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, January, 2025

WHEREAS: The brave firefighters of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department put their lives on the line every day to protect our community, often facing dangerous and hazardous environments; and

WHEREAS: Research shows firefighters are at an elevated risk of developing various types of cancer due to exposure to toxic chemicals, carcinogens and smoke during firefighting and rescue operations; and

WHEREAS: Early detection, prevention, and improved safety measures, including protective equipment, are critical to reducing risks and protecting the health and well-being of our firefighters; and

WHEREAS: We recognize the need for increased education and awareness surrounding the risks of cancer for firefighters, the necessity for proactive action, and the importance of providing resources for affected individuals and their families;

THEREFORE: I, Mayor Danny Breen, do hereby proclaim January 2025 as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month in the City of St. John’s.

Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day, January 26, 2025

WHEREAS: Kawasaki Disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children and affects children around the globe. Early diagnosis is a matter of life or death and/or lifelong coronary distress. Early detection is critical; increased awareness of early symptoms is imperative to diagnosis and effective treatment. We want Kawasaki disease to be top of mind of Canadians and for us to increase awareness and save children's hearts from the effects of Kawasaki disease; and

WHEREAS: Kawasaki Disease Canada was incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act in May, 2014. In December 2015, Kawasaki Disease Canada became registered as a national charity.  Kawasaki Disease Canada’s mission is to ensure Kawasaki disease is top-of-mind for Canadians. Our vision is saving children’s hearts from the effects of Kawasaki disease; and

WHEREAS: Kawasaki Disease Canada is the only Canadian national charity working to improve outcomes of Kawasaki disease and at the forefront of Kawasaki disease issues by collaborating with families affected by the disease and medical professionals.  January 26 is the anniversary of the day in 1961 that Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki began to recognize a cluster of symptoms that led to the classification "Kawasaki disease". It has been more than 50 years, the cause of the disease is still unknown; and

WHEREAS: Increased awareness is imperative to save children’s hearts from the effects of KD. Kawasaki Disease Canada supports international partners in the quest to increase awareness and is pursuing this proclamation across Canada.

THEREFORE: I, Mayor Danny Breen, do hereby proclaim January 26, 2025, as Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day. in the City of St. John’s.

February

World Cancer Day, February 4, 2025

WHEREAS: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. Every year we have around 4,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians diagnosed with cancer; and

WHEREAS: Many residents of St. John’s and other communities are affected by cancer - directly or indirectly; and

WHEREAS: Through the World Cancer Day, it is important to acknowledge the experiences of people affected by cancer and challenges they face, and have dialogues about how to better address their issues; and

WHEREAS: Recognizing the World Cancer Day will help increase awareness about this disease, and identify the impact of cancer on our population’s physical, psychological, social, financial, and medical wellbeing; and

THEREFORE: I, Mayor Danny Breen, do hereby proclaim February 4, 2025, as World Cancer Day in the City of St. John’s.

Wear Red Canada Day, February 13, 2025

WHEREAS, Heart disease is the number one killer of women worldwide and the leading

cause of premature death for Canadian women, a fact unknown to many women and

their healthcare providers; and

WHEREAS, The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance is an organization of

volunteer health professionals and patients working hard to improve women’s heart health; and

WHEREAS, Wear Red Canada Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness for all Canadians, but especially Canadian women, to be mindful, curious, and proactive in the

management of their heart health and wellness; and

WHEREAS, We want to see better prevention, diagnosis, and care and fewer women dying prematurely from heart disease;

THEREFORE, I, Danny Breen, Mayor of the City of St. John’s, do hereby proclaim February 13, 2025, Wear Red Canada Day in the City of St. John’s.

Heritage Day/Week, February 17-23, 2025

WHEREAS: The third Monday in February is recognized nationally as Heritage Day; and

WHEREAS: Heritage Day and Heritage Week are a time to reflect on the achievements of past generations and to accept responsibility for protecting our heritage; and

WHEREAS: Our citizens should be encouraged to celebrate Newfoundland and Labrador’s uniqueness and to rejoice in our heritage; and

WHEREAS: In 2025 the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador will celebrate our rich and diverse heritage.

THEREFORE: I, Mayor Danny Breen, do hereby proclaim Monday, February 17, 2025, as Heritage Day and February 17-23, 2025, as Heritage Week, and call upon all citizens to celebrate the richness of our past and the promise of our future.

Scout Guide Week, February 17-22, 2025 

WHEREAS, the City of St. John’s recognizes the significant contributions of Scouting and Guiding organizations to the development of young people in our community; and

WHEREAS, Scouts and Guides provide opportunities for personal growth, leadership, outdoor education, and community service to youth of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities; and

WHEREAS, the values of Scouting and Guiding align with the City’s commitment to fostering engaged, responsible, and compassionate citizens; and

WHEREAS, February 17-22, 2025, marks Scout Guide Week, a time to celebrate the enduring legacy of these programs and their positive impact on individuals and the community as a whole;

THEREFORE: I, Mayor Danny Breen, do hereby proclaim 17-22 of February, as Scout Guide Week in the City of St. John’s.

March

World Poetry Day, March 18, 2025

WHEREAS:  UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, adopted March 21 as World Poetry Day with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard; and

WHEREAS:  Poetry is one of humanity's most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expressions – for its continual reinvigoration of language, its ability to teach old ideas new tricks, and its capacity to help us see the world anew and more fully understand the human experience; and

WHEREAS:  World Poetry Day is an occasion to honour poets, revive oral traditions of poetry recitals, promote the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry, foster the convergence between poetry and other arts such as theatre, dance, music, and painting, and raise the visibility of poetry in the media.

THEREFORE: I, Mayor Danny Breen, do hereby proclaim March 21, 2025, as World   Poetry Day in the City of St. John’s.