The Council of the City of New York Proclamation

As most of you know January is Cervical Health Awareness Month.  It is one of the busiest months of the year for a cervical cancer advocate.  We raise awareness throughout the whole year, but January--the first month of the year no less, we push hard with our message.

In mid January I received an unexpected e-mail from the New York City Council  -- They wanted to honor me with a proclamation for my advocacy work in the fight against cervical cancer and HPV.  What??? ME?!?!
I know--I couldn't believe it either.  I had to tell the hubby to read the e-mail for me again.


HAPPY! EXCITED! HUMBLED! are words that barely began to describe how I felt reading this e-mail and receiving this honor.  I'm a native New Yorker and I have never been inside City Hall. -- LOL

Now I was going to City Hall to get a proclamation presented to me by no less than the  Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and they also wanted me to make a presentation to the Women's Caucus of the New York City Council. ----Ay Dios Mio!!! (Oh My God) - beyond nervous.

Inside City Hall

On January 22, 2015 - at 11:00 am I was honored to deliver the message of our mission and share our vision of a world free of cervical cancer to the women of the council of NYC. These women not only represent their district within the City of New York, but they are strong, confident and intelligent women with their own strong voices.  It was definitely an honor to be in front of them and be heard.
 

Women's Caucus of the NYC Council

At 12:00 pm I was presented with the official Proclamation by Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.  It was the most humbling experience for me.  I stood there holding this proclamation plaque surrounded by so many people.  I was representing every advocate that works so hard towards a future of eradicating cervical cancer and at the same time I was remembering every woman that is fighting the disease right now -  as well as every woman who has lost the battle to this disease.

There is a lot of work to be done, but we are on the right path and we are moving forward - Our message is being heard.

I want to thank the NYC Council, the Council Speaker, and the women's caucus for giving me this honor.  Being validated for the hard work that we do gives us an amazing feeling and fuels our motivation to continue --the mission must move forward.

A special thanks to my husband, my brother, my family and so many others (too many to list, but you know who you are)  for your constant support and all of your help behind the scene.  No battle or mission is fought alone.

I also want to thank Tamika Felder-Campbell, founder of Cervivor, for always supporting me on this journey and for being the force behind so many of us. Tamika's guidance has been more than instrumental for me and has helped me recognize my passion to advocacy. Thank You!!! I am humbled.

"Being humble means recognizing we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others." ~ Gordon B. Hickley

Copy of the what the original Proclamation states:

THE COUNCIL

CITY OF NEW YORK

 Proclamation

WHEREAS:    In observance of Cervical Health Awareness Month, The Council of the City of New York is proud to honor Patti Murillo-Casa for her courageous commitment and meaningful advocacy work; and

WHEREAS:    Ms. Murillo-Casa is truly one of New York City's Finest.  Before her retirement, she worked for 20 years protecting and serving our community as NYPD Police Officer.  Throughout her career, she--like so many police officers--regularly put the safety of strangers above her own, day in and day out.  In 2008, shortly after she retired, she was faced with unprecedented threat: a diagnosis with stage IIB cervical cancer, and

Whereas:    Ms. Murillo-Casa endured 8 treatment of chemotherapy, 35 treatments of radiation, and two treatment of internal radiation (brachytherapy) but with the profound support of family and friends, she persevered.  Yet two years after her difficult battle with cancer, problems continued to grow.  She became obese and developed type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.  With great doctors and even greater determination, she lost 113 pounds in 14 months.  She recognized how health is wealth -- especially having been on the other side -- and resolve not only to keep her weight down but to educate others about cervical cancer as well as obesity; and

WHEREAS:    Today, Ms. Murillo-Casa's cancer has been in remission for five years and she is healthier and stronger than ever before.  Demonstrated the great character of the best NYPD officers, she refused to paralyzed by her horrible episode and was strengthened by it.   She is now President of the NYC Chapter of Tamika and Friends, INC (Cervivor), a non- profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about cervical cancer and its link to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).  In this role, she shares her story of surviving and thriving, and advocates for empowerment through knowledge, prevention and early detection; and 

WHEREAS:    Ms. Murillo-Casa is also an active member of the Woman to Woman Program at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, which supports and mentors women newly diagnosed with gynecological cancers, and offer ongoing emotional support while undergoing treatments.  She can be frequently seen giving presentations and attending health fairs across the five boroughs to increase awareness on preventive measures that may prevent a cervical cancer diagnosis.  In all of her appearances, she reminds everyone that no one should lose their fertility or die from cervical cancer, and that no one should feel alone in their fight; now, therefore

BE IT KNOWN:    That the Council of the City of New York gratefully honors

Patti Murillo-Casa

for her outstanding advocacy work in the fight against cervical cancer and HPV

Signed this 10th day of January the year Twenty Fifteen

MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO                                                 COREY JOHNSON
Speaker                                                                                         Chair
For the Entire Council                                                                  Committee of Health


LAURIE A. CUMBO                   ELIZABETH CROWLEY          DARLENE MEALY
Chair                                             Co-Chair                                       Co-Chair
Committee on Women's Issue        Women's Caucus                       Women's Caucus