The month of September is dedicated to childhood cancer. September has been the childhood cancer awareness month since 2012. It helps show support and raise money for the children fighting for their lives. Many organizations and companies help to raise money for things like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Make a Wish. It gets people involved in advocating for all kids with cancer. It’s estimated that each year around 15,780 kids are diagnosed with Cancer in the US and about 300,000 globally. Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease for children in America, about 20% of children with cancer will not survive it. Childhood cancer month helps spread awareness of these awful cases.  

St. Jude is a hospital dedicated to children with cancer. It’s a research hospital where kids go to help cure their cancer. One big thing about St. Jude is the fact that the families never receive a bill from there. Whether it’s medical, or housing St. Jude covers it all so families can focus on their loved ones.  

There are many different types of cancer. It comes in varied sizes, forms, and places. Some kids must go through many treatments and spend their lives at the hospital to even have a chance at being cured. Most cancer requires chemotherapy, lots of medications, tests, and needles. It is an awfully long process. Even if a child has a curable cancer, they still will have a long painful road to recovery. 

Childhood cancer is said to be more difficult to cure or treat because it is not clear what causes childhood cancer. The cancer seen in children is different than the cancer found in adults. The genetic defects behind childhood cancer are very unique. The most common cancers found in children ages 0-14 are leukemia, brain tumors or other central nervous system tumors, and lymphomas.  

Cancer treatments are one of the hardest things a child can go through. There are many different types of treatments. Depending how advanced the cancer is determines the type of treatment it’s going to take to fight it. Some common treatments used for childhood cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant. Children also have unique side effects to cancer treatments. This makes it harder to find treatments and cures that will work. 

Even though there are many different types of treatments, there are still many cancers that are not curable. Some cancers are curable, some give the child a longer life, and some there is nothing you can do about it. Wherever cancer goes, tragedy strikes. There are so many deadly cancers around the globe that several children are suffering with, with no chance of survival. 

September, the moth of childhood cancer helps to focus on these issues. It brings attention to all the children and families going through childhood cancer. September highlights bringing awareness to childhood cancer and reminds people to show support for anyone who is or has experienced this. If you want to help these kids, you can donate to St. Jude’s children research hospital, or any other organizations that are helping children fight for their lives.