Childhood Cancer Awareness: 10 Facts

Childhood Cancer Awareness

Childhood cancer is a daily reality for thousands of children across America. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. During this month families, researchers, advocates, communities and other charities unite to raise awareness about childhood cancer.

Raise Awareness about Childhood Cancer

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month shines a spotlight on

  • The types of cancer that largely affect children
  • Survivorship issues
  • The need to raise funds for research and family support

You can help raise awareness about childhood cancer during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. First, read our FIVE plus FIVE important facts about childhood cancer. Then share what you have learned. Go Gold this September and show your support!

Pediatric Cancer by the Numbers

Here are FIVE plus FIVE important facts about childhood cancer. The numbers are staggering.

First Five Pediatric Cancer Facts

  1. Children are Dying – Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents in the United States. (National Cancer Institute)
  2. Lack of Drugs for Children – In the last twenty years, the FDA has approved only 4 pediatric cancer drugs. (American Association for Cancer Research)
  3. Lack of Federal Funding – Only 4% of the federal budget for cancer research is allocated towards children. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children. However, research is critically underfunded as compared to adult cancer research. (National Cancer institute)
  4. Childhood Cancer Rates Have Been Rising – About 11,060 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2019. Sadly, childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades. (American Cancer Society)
  5. Large Numbers of Kids are in Treatment – Over 40,000 children undergo treatment each year. (CureSearch)

Five More Pediatric Cancer Facts

  1. The Average Age of a Child Diagnosed with Cancer is 6
    But you don’t have to be a child to be diagnosed with childhood cancer. As a matter of fact, childhood cancer is diagnosed in all ages, from newborn infants to children and young adults. (CureSearch)
  2. Childhood Cancer is Not One Disease – In fact, there are over a dozen types of childhood cancer and hundreds of different subtypes.
  3. Most Childhood Cancers Cannot Be Prevented – The causes of most childhood cancers are not known. Unlike many adult cancers, the causes of childhood cancers are not linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors. In fact, about 5 percent of all cancers in children are caused by an inherited mutation, which is genetic and can be passed from parent to child. Researchers are beginning to understand these mutations and use this information to look for potential cures. For more information read The National Cancer Society Institute sheet, Cancer in Children and Adolescents
  4. Pediatric Cancer is Not Rare – One out of every 300 males and one out of every 333 females in America will develop cancer before their 20th birthday. (American Cancer Society).
  5. Four Most Common Types of Childhood Cancer – At the present time, the most common types of cancer diagnosed in children ages 0 to 14 years are leukemias, brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and lymphomas. (National Cancer Institute)

Other Ways to Raise Awareness

  1. Attend CureFest 2019 at the National Mall in Washington, DC on September 20 – 23. Thousands of people from over 44 states come together at the annual CureFest event to unite as one voice against childhood cancer. CureFest is family-friendly. For instance, it includes a rally, candlelight vigil, a walk, games, activities and live entertainment. In fact, we have a Mikey’s Way tent at CureFest too. Of course, you are welcome to stop by and say hello!
  2. Get inspired by Mikey and our other childhood cancer heroes!  Read our blog and share their stories. Then you can inspire others to make a difference for children fighting childhood cancer.
  3. Demonstrate your support join the gold movement by wearing a gold ribbon. Ever wonder why gold is the color which symbolizes Childhood Cancer Awareness month? In 1997, a group of parents selected gold as the official color because it symbolizes how resilient and precious children are.
  4. Follow Mikey’s Way on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.