WHEREAS, Storm The Heavens has become a rallying cry to the residents of the Port Richmond Neighborhood and beyond in their combined fight for research to study Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, DIPG, the most devastating cancer diagnosis in existence; and
WHEREAS, Storm The Heavens is named in honor of Philomena “Bean” Stendardo who unfortunately succumbed to DIPG a short 10 months after she was diagnosed at the young age of 8 years old; and
WHEREAS, DIPG is a brain tumor that affects children under the age of 10 and has a 0% survival rate; and
WHEREAS, Research and treatments for DIPG have not changed in over 50 years because of a lack of funding; and
WHEREAS, Storm The Heavens was started as an outpouring of faith and love surrounding Philomena “Bean” Stendardo and her battle against this deadly disease; and
WHEREAS, “Bean” was a “one of a kind” spunky little firecracker who was an exceptional athlete, loved school and playing with her friends but her favorite role was being the exceptional little sister to Marky, who she loved more than anyone; and
WHEREAS, “Bean” and her struggles with DIPG brought the community together like nothing else in recent memory with a call to defeat this disease through prayer, faith and funding for research; and
WHEREAS, Storm The Heavens Way will be a constant reminder of the positive impact that Philomena “Bean” Stendardo had on this community and will inspire donations to DIPG research so that treatment and services become a reality for those diagnosed with this disease and one day we will be able to say that 0% is a thing of the past; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Almond Street between Venango and Pickwick Streets is also named Storm The Heavens Way in honor of Philomena “Bean” Stendardo.
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