“This month, we pay tribute to the families, friends, professionals, and communities who lend their strength to children fighting pediatric cancer,” former President Barack Obama said in 2012.
“May their courage and commitment continue to move us toward new cures, healthier outcomes, and a brighter future for America's youth,” Obama said.
From that moment on, September would be, then and always, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Each day, 43 children will be diagnosed with cancer, according to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
Various charities, research groups and families have been bringing awareness to childhood cancer this month by donating, hosting an event and participating in a walk/run.
Last weekend on September 22, 2018, St. Jude held their annual Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer in Los Angeles at Paramount Studios.
Families, caregivers and volunteers registered, formed teams, joined existing teams or donated to the event, which has raised more than $178,000.
Actress and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Ambassador Lucy Hale, thanked all participants for attending the walk/run and for everyone who puts in work every day to help end childhood cancer.
“I just wanted to personally thank all of you for coming out today… for donations and your help and your work doesn’t go unnoticed so thanks for joining me,” Hale said.
This month, St. Jude has organized a Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer in 61 U.S. communities to raise funds for the organization.
Among the participants are family members Janita and Antonio and their 1-year-old son Tony.
When Tony was 9 months old, his parents noticed that Tony was experiencing some unordinary health issues. Tony wasn’t putting any weight on his right leg, was lethargic and had a fever and was ultimately diagnosed with a virus.
However, Tony’s pain became unbearable, as he would cry out whenever someone touched his right leg. After bloodwork and a visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Janita and Antonio were told that their son had a rare type of blood cancer.
Thanks to St. Jude’s policy, Janita and Antonio have not received a bill for care, food or housing costs. “Coming to St. Jude lifted a weight off our shoulders,” Janita said.
To help give back, Tony’s family formed a team for this September’s Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer.
Along with St. Jude, the American Childhood Cancer Organization [ACCO] teamed up with Amazon to create the largest Childhood Cancer Icon ever.
On September 5, 2018, the ACCO unveiled an Amazon Prime airplane emblazoned with the Childhood Cancer awareness gold ribbon and their tagline “Go GOLD because kids can’t fight cancer alone” on the side of the plane.
The plane displayed the Go Gold tagline and brought awareness to the organization as it soared through the skies to deliver packages to customers across the nation this month.
In addition, Amazon fulfillment center employees dressed in their pajamas at work as a part of ACCO’s signature program PJammin.
The PJammin program recognizes that “pajamas are the battle uniform for children with cancer who often are forced to spend months and even years at a time fighting for their lives in the PJ’s,” according to ACCO.
ACCO invites all to participate and say it’s a great program for schools. Participants pay a minimum of $1 to wear pajamas in honor of kids with cancer.
Another way to get involved is by participating in a “Go Gold” event to help raise funds for families who are dealing with childhood cancer.
Volunteers can organize their own “Go Gold” event and sell gold ribbon stickers, host a gold ribbon bake sale, hold a “Golden Oldies” dance party, create a gold jewelry party, costume parade, fashion show or organize a fun run, bike-a-thon or relay race.
ACCO will provide one-on-one planning support and free event planning promotional materials to all those who host a “Go Gold” event. Interested volunteers can go to the ACCO website to register.
From donating, organizing an event or wearing a gold ribbon to help spread the word about Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, anyone can help in the battle to end childhood cancer. Use the rest of September to research different charities and organizations, read about medical developments, get inspired by hundreds of personal stories of those battling childhood cancer and continue to support even after the month is over.