Hey there, friends! September is that special time when we shine a spotlight on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM). All across the country, people are hosting events and fundraising efforts to spread awareness, raise funds for pediatric cancer research, and inspire families with healthy kids to lend a hand to those facing a tougher battle. For parents like Lisa, whose little one, Chloe, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at just 18 months, this month presents a chance to join in on one of the 60 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® annual Walk/Run events happening nationwide.
Fortunately, St. Jude was a beacon of hope for Chloe’s family when they needed it most. Nestled in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude is at the forefront of the fight against childhood cancers, treating over 7,000 patients annually, and guess what? No family ever receives a bill for treatment, housing, food, or travel! For Lisa, this was a lifesaver. “The day Chloe was diagnosed with ALL was the most terrifying moment of my life, but when I set foot in St. Jude and realized that children actually get cured here, I felt a wave of comfort and relief. I never have to worry about bills or hesitate to reach out to a doctor 24/7 because of costs.”
Thanks to the incredible research at St. Jude, the survival rate for ALL has skyrocketed from a mere 5% in 1980 to over 90% today. Founded in 1962 by actor Danny Thomas, St. Jude treats some of the toughest cancers as well as sickle cell disease, and they don’t turn away any child based on race, religion, ethnicity, or ability to pay. Their research isn’t just limited to pediatric cancer; they’ve made strides in understanding ALS, malaria, and even diabetes. They also boast the only proton therapy treatment center dedicated solely to children.
The $99 million facility uses high-energy protons to target tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Proton therapy is effective for brain tumors and various types of solid tumors, including Ewing’s sarcoma and neuroblastoma. By 2018, officials expect that 80% of children receiving radiation therapy at St. Jude will receive proton beam therapy.
If you met Chloe now, a joyful 4-year-old spinning around in her favorite princess outfit and currently in remission, you’d never guess she once faced cancer. As Richard C. Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness arm of St. Jude, puts it: “To witness the amazing child that Chloe has become, and to know we can support her because of public generosity is truly heartwarming.”
This month, let’s join the fight against childhood cancer! Find a St. Jude Walk/Run in your community. With a goal of raising $11 million, St. Jude aims to draw attention to pediatric cancer. As Shadyac explains, “At St. Jude, we boast the highest survival rates for the most challenging cancers. We’re always striving to enhance those rates. In September, we emphasize that cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children, and we must unite to raise funds and awareness. We will not rest until no child dies from cancer.”
To find a St. Jude Walk/Run near you and take part in this important cause, visit St. Jude Walk/Run or consider joining Chloe’s Walk/Run team, Chloe’s Crusade. And if you want to delve deeper into home insemination, check out this informative piece on their contact page.
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In summary, September is a month to raise awareness about childhood cancer, support families battling this illness, and to celebrate the strides made in research and treatment. By participating in events like the St. Jude Walk/Run, we can all play a part in making a difference in the lives of children facing cancer.