Tuesday was a very emotional second meeting of the Seacoast Cancer Cluster Commission.
Testimony of the families and community members was heartbreaking and compelling. Several mothers spoke on behalf of our beautiful community, discussing the importance of continuing the work of former governor Maggie Hassan’s task force to assess potential environmental triggers for the children’s cancers.
One commission member triggered outrage when he consistently questioned the very foundation of the commission, which was signed into law in July 2017.
I and several caring grown men were brought to tears from the testimony of the mother of a child who died at 14 in the cancer cluster. She described in excruciating detail the experimental treatments her brave, fierce young man underwent, all in vain. We are told 350 children across the United States are diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma.
During the last legislative session, moms of the children who lost their lives to these evil cancers and those who had been exposed to contaminated drinking water also bravely spoke, exhibiting so much power and strength in their adversity. Their efforts are responsible for helping to push three commissions into chaptered law (HB 431, HB 484 and HB 511), which will make real change in our state and provide models for other states to innovate in these areas.
I am honored to know these fierce women (and men) who advocate to reduce cancer, change drinking water standards and take on other action necessary to make real change.
Rep. MINDI MESSMER
Rye