“In the United States in 2017, an estimated 10,270 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed among children from birth to 14 years, and about 1,190 children are expected to die from the disease. Although pediatric cancer death rates have declined by nearly 70 percent over the past four decades, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children. The most common types of cancer diagnosed in children ages 0 to 14 years are leukemias, brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and lymphomas.”—National Cancer Institute
All illness is hard. Cancer is particularly difficult (an understatement, of course) on the individual, as well as the family. Pediatric cancer is particularly hard. No family should have to experience pediatric cancer.
Families of children with cancer need support and encouragement throughout the illness and in the wake of treatment—especially when the child doesn’t survive. Giving just a month of awareness to pediatric cancer—any kind of cancer—seems trivial. Nevertheless, it is something. For the families who are battling cancer, and especially those who have lost a child, our words and prayers may not help much. These certainly cannot take away the pain and anxiety. The best we can do is be present. The next best thing we can do is join the fight—support research and programs that offer care to the sick child and their families.
Gold and gray ribbons show your support. Youth sports teams will likely wear pink in October. Encourage them to where gold and gray for their friends. Above all, consider giving.
I have watch two families lose children to pediatric brain cancer (and others who have, thankfully, survived leukemia). What moved me most was the bright smiles on the faces of the children as they go through the unimaginable. I learned to appreciate life from Christopher and Joey, and so the foundations formed by their parents (100% goes to pediatric cancer research) have a special place in my heart. As you consider pediatric cancer, this month, consider giving money to the following or another foundation of choice: