Around the world, families and children receive devastating news regarding cancer. They have to face painful and expensive treatment options. They learn to appreciate simple things due to uncertainty about the next day. Even more unfortunate, about 6,000 of those children will die of their ailments every month.
Coastal Kids Pediatrics in Orange Country is aware that more children today are receiving a diagnosis of cancer. It is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 15. One can only imagine the pain and trauma a situation like this causes a family. It’s even more so for the child facing the illness.
In September 2012 President Obama has declared September to be childhood cancer awareness month. Thanks to medical and technological advancements the treatment of cancer has improved significantly over the last few years. The average five-year survival rate has increased to over 80 percent from below 50 percent in the past
One advancement made is the awareness of cancer. Places like Coastal Kids Pediatrics work to be the best pediatric program by giving them the best care to make sure they have a smooth transition from childhood to adulthood, as stated in their mission statement. Part of this treatment responsibility is recognizing the signs of childhood cancer and referring the best care.
What Can You Do
To take part in Childhood Cancer Awareness Month there are a number of things that one can do. According to childrenscancer.org, the average person has over 100 Facebook friends. By following the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, you can share one statistic or story and have it reach over 9 million people. Use the hashtag #GoGold and @ChildrensCancer to share content on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
You use social media all the time, why not use it to spread awareness of this childhood devastating and traumatic event? The Major League Baseball association will play its part this month by having the Minnesota Twins honor cancer affected children and their families, by offering them various pregame activities Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Major league baseball will have it’s part with the Minnesota Twins honoring kids and families affected by childhood cancer with pre-game activities at games throughout the month.
You can also shop at retailers that are taking part in this special month. Through December 31, Macy’s is donating $10 out of every $25 of the enrollment fee as a token of gratitude for sharing reward cards with charitable organizations, one of them being the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
As always, you can use Amazon Smile. Amazon Smile donates .05% of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice.
The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is selling awareness month kits on their e-store and bringing awareness through it’s Gold Ribbon Heroes program. They recognize that while the prognosis for many children diagnosed with cancer is positive, it’s still a long, hard road for them and their families.
ACCO uses the Gold Ribbon Heroes program to bring the stories of these families. Anyone can be selected. They choose children with amazing stories and share those stories on their blog. Anyone who knows of a child with an amazing story can nominate them on the ACCO website.
While childhood cancer is a sad reality, you can help increase awareness by shopping, or sharing stories and statistics. Perhaps one day the small part of everyone will bring an end to cancer for children, and everyone else.