September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Childhood cancer changed the life of my family forever. My stepson is a survivor – healthy at 19 years old and cancer free for 9 years. But like all childhood cancer survivors, there are lasting side effects and the on-going fear of the likelihood he will suffer from secondary cancers as so many survivors do.

1 in 285 infants, children, adolescents, and young adults under 20 in the US will have cancer. 1 in 530 adults are childhood cancer survivors. If you haven’t had the privilege of knowing one these brave people, I hope these facts will persuade you to join our cause. Show a child with cancer you love them more than coffee and #donateyourlatte.

Facts About Childhood Cancer

Cancer is the #1 cause of childhood death. More than pediatric AIDS, Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis, and Asthma combined.

In the US, Approximately 15,700 kids will be diagnosed with Cancer this year. That’s a classroom full of kids EVERY DAY.

Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with Cancer EVERY 3 MINUTES.

 Because the symptoms of childhood cancer are similar to common childhood illnesses, 80% of children are not diagnosed until later stages when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, decreasing the odds of survival.

Hundreds of new drugs have been introduced in the last 20 years to treat adult cancers. Only 3 new pediatric treatments have been introduced in that time.

  25% of childhood cancer patients will not survive to adulthood

The average age of death for a child with cancer is 8.

 The average adult with cancer loses 15 years of their life. The average child loses 71 years!

 Nearly 2/3 of childhood cancer survivors suffer from serious secondary illnesses and cancers later in life and have an overall shorter life expectancy.

 The average out of pocket expense for families with insurance is almost $10K. That doesn’t include the burden of food, travel, and accommodations for those unfortunate enough not live near a treatment center that specializes in the care their child needs.

These facts were culled from a number of reputable sources including CURE Childhood Cancer, St. Baldricks Foundation, the Pablove Foundation, and others.