Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
What do you think of when you see September pop up on the calendar? Many folks don’t realize that September raises awareness to lots of important causes, including pediatric cancer. That’s right, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
The Reality
Although all cancer is incredibly upsetting, we feel that childhood cancer is especially heartbreaking. Especially since the majority of medical research spending goes to other causes. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), more than 15,000 children and adolescents ages birth to 19 years will be diagnosed with cancer and nearly 1,800 young Americans will die of the disease in 2017. NCI reports that cancer diagnosed in children ages birth to 14 in the United States are leukemias, followed by brain and other nervous system tumors, lymphomas, soft tissue sarcomas, neuroblastoma and kidney tumors.
Adults and adolescents alike, we all have to come together and fight against this awful disease. “Many are surprised to learn that cancer is the leading cause of death past infancy for children in the United States,” Mecklin Ragan, Triumph Over Kid Cancer co-founder, said. “Above and beyond funding essential pediatric cancer research, we also work to lift the spirits and bring joy to children currently fighting cancer. There are many ways South Texans can make a difference in the life of a child with cancer.”
The Bright Side
The bright side of this is that we are putting up a fight. A big one. Triumph Over Kid Cancer is an organization started from the dream of one incredible former patient. Since 2006, TOKC has raised over $2 million to fight back against the epidemic of childhood cancer.
What can I do to help?
Although there are professionals in both the non-profit and medical sectors working tirelessly to fight and ultimately find a solution for childhood cancer, everyone can do their part to help out. Some ways to get involved include:
- Volunteer: Whether you’re a lawyer or a middle school student, there are volunteer opportunities available for you. Volunteers help plan major fundraising events and bring joy to the most fragile of patients and their families by visiting those from out of town in the hospital. Learn more about how to get involved at triumphoverkidcancer.org/get-involved/volunteer.
- Donate: Donations support treatment improvements and survivability of pediatric cancer for South Texas patients. MD Anderson in Houston, Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi and New Orleans Children’s Hospital are all benefactors and making strides in pediatric cancer research because of Triumph Over Kid Cancer donations. Learn more about donating at triumphoverkidcancer.org/donate.
Regardless of whether you volunteer your time, donate to our cause or a similar foundation, or just spread the word, everyone can do their part to fight back against childhood cancer. Here’ to a brighter future, and a tomorrow without the tragedies of today.
About Triumph Over Kid Cancer
Triumph Over Kid Cancer (TOKC) is a South Texas-based nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by pediatric cancer fighter and Corpus Christi, Texas, native, the late James Ragan, and his sister Mecklin. TOKC’s mission is to bring awareness to pediatric cancer, fund its research and provide volunteer opportunities that make a difference for pediatric patients and their families. Throughout James’ seven-and-a-half-year cancer fight, he worked to fund pediatric cancer research at MD Anderson in Houston, Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi and New Orleans Children’s Hospital. To date, TOKC has raised more than $3 million for pediatric cancer research. Learn more about Triumph Over Kid Cancer at www.TriumphOverKidCancer.org.
