More thoughts on this Sanctuary City
To The Editor:
Ms. Endres’ disparaging response (“The label ‘criminals’ does not fit,” Oct. 25) to my article (“They’re Not Immigrants,” Oct 14) was expected. The articles she writes in this paper are filled with sanctimonious and bias rhetoric, so I guess calling me irate and disingenuous is acceptable to her. Ms. Endres did not address the premise of my article at all. I was speaking about ICE Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests of criminals residing in our Sanctuary City. ICE did not arrest illegal aliens, only illegal criminals. Does Ms. Endres understand the word illegal? It applies to illegal criminals and aliens. They both have committed a crime. Aliens by coming into our country without going through the proper channels, and criminal aliens who have committed a robbery, or something worse.
Just for her information about illegals voting, they have voted in many elections and their votes are counted. Illegal votes are unlawfully present in Sanctuary Cities such as ours. Also, expiration of a VISA is a federal violation and subject to arrest and deportation and will be justified as such. So much for disingenuous statements she said I made.
Also, your reprimand to me about avoiding labels that do not apply was inconsistent with what I wrote. I said it was disrespectful to immigrants by calling illegal criminals, being arrested by ICE, immigrants. By keeping Philadelphia a Sanctuary City, Mayor Kenney is limiting cooperation with ICE agents to enforce immigration laws. And, he is putting the citizens of this city at risk with higher crime rates.
Fran Gallo
South Philly
Fond memories
To The Editor:
Just wanted to respond to your article on the Packer Park Swim Club (“Packer Park had a swim club,” Oct. 25). We were members for many years. My children learned how to swim there. We loved the adults-only splash parties. Bill Jenkins took care of this swim club with care. We had a cabana, which was a blessing to have your own shower, cooking equipment and refrigeration. My husband would come home from work, change, swim and enjoy dinner and friends … playing volleyball, etc. I tell many about those wonderful days. Thanks for the memories.
Fran Watters Griffith
Philadelphia
Philadelphia locals rally to support innovative lung cancer research
To the Editor:
Thousands of local residents are joining forces to fight lung cancer, united in the belief that surviving lung cancer should be the expectation, not the exception. The Lung Cancer Research Foundation’s Philadelphia Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk presented by Miles for Marc will take place Sunday (Nov. 5) at Fairmount Park. Miles for Marc is a dedicated group of lung cancer advocates in memory of Marc Kuchler, who at 28 years old was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. All proceeds from the event support the Lung Cancer Research Foundation and its mission to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of lung cancer. The Philadelphia event is part of LCRF’s national Free to Breathe Event Series, which consists of run/walk and yoga events.
Free to Breathe was previously the name of a lung cancer research and advocacy organization dedicated to increasing lung cancer survival. LCRF and Free to Breathe merged in October, retaining LCRF as the name of the nonprofit organization. The merger allows the newly united group to combine resources, accelerate ongoing efforts already established separately, and develop key synergies to make an even greater impact on closing the funding gap for lung cancer research. Together the organizations have funded 332 grants totaling more than $32 million, the highest amount of funding provided by a lung cancer research organization to date.
Since 2005, the Free to Breathe events community has raised more than $16 million to support groundbreaking research and educational programs. Last year, community members, teams and companies across the region supported the Philadelphia event by raising nearly $268,000. Event chairs hope to surpass that total in 2017, which will go a long way in supporting programs specifically designed to ensure that more patients become survivors. Every dollar counts to the more than 222,000 people diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the U.S. In Pennsylvania alone, an estimated 9,930 residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017. If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer — people who have never smoked account for between 20,000 and 30,000 of lung cancer diagnoses per year.
This year’s event will feature a 5K run/walk and 1-mile walk. The day will also include kids’ activities and live music from a local DJ. Survivors and their loved ones are encouraged to stop by the Survivor Tent. Special recognition will be given to top finishers and fundraisers. Registration is free, and those who fundraise $100 or more will receive a 2017 Free to Breathe event T-shirt. To register and begin fundraising, visit freetobreathe.org/philadelphia.
Lung Cancer Research Foundation
