Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Many people do not know that September is childhood cancer awareness month! Every year so many children are diagnosed with this horrible life taking disease. According to the National Cancer Institute an estimated 15,780 children were diagnosed with cancer in 2014, and about 1,960 will die from this horrible disease. As of Jan. 1, 2010 there were about 38,000 childhood cancer survivors. Every day 43 children are diagnosed with cancer. Twelve percent of these children do not survive, and out of the children that do survive 60% of them suffer late effects such as infertility, heart failure, and secondary cancers. The National Cancer Institute states that most causes of childhood cancer are unknown.

In 2005, my younger sister was diagnosed with a cancer known as Rhabdomyosarcoma. She was sentenced to forty-two weeks of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. My family has experienced this horrible disease first hand. It is important that as a society we recognize how horrible childhood cancer is and do everything we can to help. There are so many things that we can do to raise awareness! Here are some ideas to raise awareness for childhood cancer!

1. Wear a gold ribbon on your shirt or jacket.

When breast cancer awareness month rolls around, we all wear our pink ribbons and our pink shirts. Let’s support childhood cancer like we do breast cancer! Wear a gold ribbon on your shirt or jacket or even wear something yellow/gold colored! You can even buy gold shoe laces!

2. Participate in walks or runs that raise money for childhood cancer.

There are many different runs and walks that you can participate in! Grab some friends and create a team! Every step you take helps raise money! Here are some that you can get involved in!

Sept. 19, 2015 -- St. Jude Walk/Run to end childhood cancer, Philadelphia

Sept. 20, 2015 -- Go For the Gold 5k run/walk, Sewell, New Jersey

June 11, 2016 --The Valerie Fund Walk for Childhood Cancer, Verona, New Jersey

3. Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald Houses near you! Ronald McDonald houses.

These are wonderful places where families that are struggling through these tough times can spend some nights.They are always looking for volunteers!

4. Donate money!

Money does not mean $50. It can mean a dollar or two, and any money can help.

5. Spread the word.

Share with people why you are wearing a gold ribbon. Tell them some statistics about childhood cancer! Let people know why the month of September is so important!

September is a special month. It is the month where we have an opportunity to make a difference in so many children's lives, so LET'S DO IT.