SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2018
Candlelighters
FAMILY Connections September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Families, caregivers, charities and research groups across the United States observe September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In the U.S., 15,780 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year; approximately 1/4 of them will not survive the disease. A diagnosis turns the lives of the entire family upside down. The objective of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is to put a spotlight on the types of cancer that largely affect children, survivorship issues, and — importantly — to help raise funds for research and family support organizations.
10 Childhood Cancer Fac ts:
Childhood cancer is not one disease, but several.
Every day, there are almost 700 new cases of childhood cancer around the world.
Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States.
Childhood cancer treatment is no longer just chemotherapy and radiation.
With better therapies, 80% of U.S. childhood cancer patients become survivors.
A cure is not enough. Surviving childhood cancer brings its own set of complications.
Families often have to travel for cancer treatment.
Caregivers can suffer from PTSD.
Siblings are also effected.
Only 4% of federal cancer research funding goes to pediatric cancer.
How can YOU help raise awareness this September? Be vocal and share your story, wear gold
You are always a part of the Candlelighters
everywhere, volunteer at organizations that
Family. Whether you’re going through
help you, donate blood or platelets or marrow,
treatment today, in remission, or a bereaved
write your local politicians to make a statement
family…our programs are here to serve you
supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,
and are always free of charge.
support one another, and thank your caregivers/ medical providers.
Candlelighters For Children With Cancer publishes Candlelighters FAMILY Connections six times a year to provide news and other information to families affected by cancer in Oregon and SW Washington.
Our mission is to provide a community of healing, hope, and light throughout the life-long journey of childhood cancer. We advocate, we educate, we build partnerships, and we foster solidarity for all families experiencing cancer.