SEPTEMBER IS PEDIATRIC & BLOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
September is Pediatric Awareness Month. September is also Blood Cancer Awareness Month. We hear about all of these awareness months, but what does that mean? How do these awareness affect us, apply to us? How can we have multiple awareness in one month?
Sadly, there are so many issues in our society, we simply just don't have enough months to represent them all. The amount of cancers alone would take up the entire calendar plus more, and that's not mentioning all of the other illnesses people live with. Then you have adoption month, multiple birth month, friendship month--the list goes on and on. All of these causes have special meaning to large percent of the population, so what does it mean for you?
Well, that's a loaded question. You are not required to do anything, especially if your life is rolling along, uninterrupted by a traumatic event, or by a debilitating illness. But, if you are not fortunate enough to be unaffected by all of the obstacles life throws at us, the specific awareness month is your time to shine. You, yes you, can make a difference. You can find the months which the awareness holds meaning for you, and you can advocate, you can donate, you can show others that you care.
For example, the month of September. September is both Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, as well as Blood Cancer Awareness Month. That's interesting because blood cancer is the most common, most diagnosed of all pediatric cancers. In the United States, about 3,500 children will be diagnosed with Leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood. Let that sink in for a bit....3,500 children every year in the US, that's just here, not the rest of the world. Based on the results of cancer statistics in 2018, 65,111 cases of leukemia were recorded in children aged 0-14 years, worldwide.
The treatments for pediatric cancer, including Leukemias, can be debilitating. The chemotherapy takes a toll on the young body. It can damage organs, weaken bones and cause nerve damage. The treatment may put a child in remission, but not without causing other serious complications. There are many organizations out there working towards a cure. They provide funding for research which is so important. Did you know that pediatric cancer research only receives about 4% of the National Institute of Health funding? 4%--these private charitable organizations are making a difference by providing additional funding to specific labs or centers to advance research.
There are other organizations like Anna's Pals, who focus on providing comfort and distractions for children currently receiving treatment. Prior to COVID, Anna's Pals provided meals, snacks and bedside activities for these pediatric Leukemic patients, as well as donating funds to labs focused on finding a cure for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Anna's Pals is currently working on creating a Beach House for Immunocompromised Children. The loss of the immune system is yet another side effect of the chemotherapy. Due to the lack of an immune system, these children are kept away from society--from school, friends, and family, because they cannot fight infection. The Beach House would allow these children an escape from the clinical environment, a chance to be a kid in a safe, clean environment.
What do these Awareness Months mean to you? It's personal. You do not have to do anything. But, if you find a month that you identify with, an awareness that touches you, strikes a chord, or inspires you, do something. You can share social media posts (it's free), you can find an organization (like Anna's Pals) and make a donation, or volunteer. You can let other's know you care about their struggle, sympathize with the difficulties. September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Does this affect you?