September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which is a very important month to my family. My sister was diagnosed with childhood cancer when she was 14 and three more times after that, so I happen to know more than I would like about the subject. She is one of the fortunate few; she is now a five-year survivor. In the nine years that have passed since her diagnosis and multiple relapses, I have encountered many families with children who are fighting this disease. My family and I have become advocates for childhood cancer, which is horribly underfunded.
Please keep in mind as you read the statistics that children are the future of our world, and when they are not treated as such, we should be concerned. We will never know what some of these kids could have achieved had they been able to survive. Every day, two full classrooms of children are diagnosed with cancer. And still, only 2 percent of federal funding for cancer research is directed at working to cure and treat cancers that impact children. Childhood cancer is not one disease -- there are over 16 major types and 100 sub-types. Cancer continues to be the number-one disease killer of children in our country -- more than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and pediatric AIDS combined!
There are hundreds of charities out there for cancer research, but my family is most familiar with CURE. CURE was founded in 1975 in Atlanta with one mission: to save lives. Not only does CURE donate money for cancer research, but they also offer counseling, meals, and emergency financial assistance.
CURE funds research in the development of “targeted areas,” which only focuses on the cancer cells to protect the healthy cells. This makes the treatment less harmful for the patient. They also fund programs that train future pediatric oncologists through the Emory University School of Medicine. This offers a brighter future for children diagnosed with this terrible disease.
CURE hosts various fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for childhood cancer. These fundraisers not only raise money, but also bring people together with one common mission. I have been to a few of these fundraisers and have met some of the most amazing and driven people who just want to find a cure for this disease. Without the help of CURE, the progress of finding a cure might not be as possible, but with hope and motivation, I know we will find a CURE.
We can make a difference for the children. GO GOLD and donate to save a life!
