CHILDHOOD CANCER

  • 43 children are diagnosed every day and 1 of those will die within 5 years
  • 15,780 children join the cancer battle every year.  
  • 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer. One child every 2 minutes.
  • There are 50,000 children in the US in cancer treatment every year (500,000 worldwide).
  • 80% of pediatric cancers have metastasized at time of diagnosis as opposed to only 20% of adult cancers 
  • The intense chemo and radiation used for pediatric cancers cause lifelong disabilities and secondary diseases in 65% of patients.
  • We lose 3,200 children every year to cancer, cancer remains the #1 disease killer of American children.
  • The US government and the American Cancer Society spend less than 4% of their budgets funding pediatric cancer.
  • Chemotherapy drugs for childhood cancer have changed very little in the past 40 years.
  • Every 4 hours a child dies from cancer.
Want to help our children?
  • GIVE money to fund pediatric cancer research: Curesearch (COG), St.Baldrick's, and Alex's Lemonade Stand are the top 3 research-funding organizations.  Or donate to your local children's hospital's pediatric oncology floor to improve the lives of families in treatment- like our Kids of Childhood Cancer Foundation.  You can contact ChildLife to find a list of needs. Or to Give Kids the World Village and Make-A-Wish.
  • HELP at a local fundraiser or hold an event of your own, no size is too small.  All the major foundations have online fundraising resources.  Volunteer at your local hospital's pediatric oncology department.  Contact our leaders and let them know of the needs.  The PAC2 site has many links to get started.  Send cards to cancer kids through Make A Child Smile.
  • BLOOD  Never forget the simple, free, lifesaving gift of blood, platelets, and cord blood.  Cancer patients need dozens of transfusions in order to allow their bodies to survive treatment and fight cancer.
  • TELL your friends and family about the plight of pediatric cancer in this country.  Share the story of a courageous cancer kid you know.
  • PRAY for the families dealing with the horrible disease.  For the researchers, doctors, nurses, social workers, staff, and volunteers on the front lines.  For the thousands of courageous cancer kids fighting the battle of their lives and enduring tremendous suffering.  For all those who have already earned their angel wings and their loved ones left behind.  For a CURE!
For some more information about the desperate plight of pediatric cancer funding in this country, CLICK HERE.
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