Childhood Cancer Awareness
- Alissar Dalloul
- Sep 6, 2022
- 3 min read
September is designated as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
During the month of September, and of course, all year long, take initiative by going gold, going pjammin, spreading awareness, funding, and knowing the facts.
Head to our donation page to aid in funding research:
Head to our resources page for advocacy tools & presentations so you can educate your community on the prevalence of childhood cancer
American Childhood Cancer Organization
Founded in 1970 by parents of children diagnosed with cancer, it is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots organization dedicated to childhood cancer. Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death for children between the ages of 4 and 14 in the United States. The ACCO is determined to change these statistics and make childhood cancer a national health priority by shaping policy, supporting research, raising awareness, and providing educational resources and programs for children with cancer, childhood cancer survivors, and their families. Over the past 50 years, ACCO has supported more than half a million families
because kids can't fight cancer alone. (acco.org)
I am currently a part of ACCO's New York Advocacy Group, working to navigate a NY Cancer research trust fund focusing on pediatric cancer and such specialists as well as overseeing grant applications that come with the process. Our two bills are currently planned to be reintroduced next fiscal year and we are needing letters of support from individuals as well as other NY nonprofits.
Childhood Cancer Information and Statistics
Relative to the prevalence of many forms of adult cancer, childhood cancer is, statistically speaking, relatively rare. Yet, despite its rarity: childhood cancer remains the number one disease killer of children in the United States today. Often, the story is far more personal than bare-faced statistics: too many of us know a child currently battling cancer, a childhood cancer survivor, or a family who has lost a loved one to this terrible disease. When news of this disease hits your school, your town, or your family,
childhood cancer doesn't feel rare. (acco.org)
Globally 44% of children with cancer will die before they can be diagnosed.
Children with cancer in high-income countries are 10 times more likely to survive five years than children in low-income countries. Worldwide every three minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. In 2020 an estimated 181 thousand, almost one-third of child cancer cases went undiagnosed. (acco.org)
Every single action, whether
through awareness, advocacy, assistance, or funding,
can change these statistics.
Host an Advocacy Day in Your Community
So what does it mean to Go Gold?
In 1997, a group of parents of children impacted by cancer chose gold to
represent childhood cancer. Thus, the gold ribbon! Ever since then,
supporters around the world Go Gold to represent childhood cancer warriors
and heroes. (acco.org)
So what does it mean to Go Pjammin?
Pajamas are often the battle uniform for kids with cancer. Stuck in the
hospital for long periods of time during treatment, kids live in their pis.
PJammin is a way to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to help
them feel less alone. (acco.org)
Advocacy
Social Media
Social Media is a powerful weapon in the fight against childhood cancer because it allows us to transcend geographical limitations and facilitates the creation of an online community that shares a common goal. Post on your social media accounts and highlight your advocacy. Your online presence has the power to inspire, educate, advocate, and provide these children and families with the empowerment to fight,
Legislation
You can also sign an E-petition, email, or tweet to encourage each of your congressional representatives to get involved in the passing legislature for direct action towards funding research and support for childhood cancer
Donate
Donating to fundraisers such as the link at the top of this page or on our main site is another way to help in the numerous battles against cancer.
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