Holiday music is playing and you can already find all of your holiday shopping decor and/or gifts at the department store. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle while you try to shop for the perfect gift for everyone in your family. However, sometimes the best gift of all is giving to someone in need. I was watching the stories of some children going through pediatric cancer on Tackle Kids Cancer and it made me think about how much these kids need our help! Cancer is just devastating to a child and their family and funding can make a world of difference in research, care and finding a cure. No-one knows if or when someone they loved will be diagnosed with cancer. But, we do know that giving back can help make a HUGE difference.
The holidays are a good time to give back in a meaningful way. As a mom, I have always included my children in this, so that they know it is important to give back. Now is the time for us to join together and Tackle Kids Cancer.
Victoria was diagnosed with leukemia. She is 6 years old and loves stuffed animals, live animals, sports, piano and school. Victoria calls the people working at the Hackensack University Medical Center her friends. She may be only 6, but she understands that this is her second home and family. She was lucky in that the physician quickly figured out that what she had was more than strep throat and was able to secure immediate treatment, which avoided further complications.
Victoria reminds me of my daughter, who was diagnosed with asthma when she was 4 and had to spend several days in the hospital. She is now in 3rd grade and recently wrote a paper in school about her asthma and how it landed her in the hospital. It brought tears to my eyes to read it from her perspective and how scared she was while the asthma was bothering her. Like Victoria, she loves stuffed animals and they give her comfort. She also appreciated the staff that helped her during her hospital stay (and the popsicles they brought her!). It is hard dealing with a sick child and although my daughter’s asthma is better managed these days, it can still be scary if her asthma starts to bother her.
After reading my daughter’s paper about her own hospital stay, it made me think about how important it is to think of other families that may be struggling during this time, especially families that have children with cancer. Because, who doesn’t want to find a cure for pediatric cancer?
Did you know that the average age of a pediatric cancer patient is 6 years old? And that just 4% of government cancer research is dedicated to pediatric cancer? 40,000 children are treated annually nationwide. Sadly, 1 in 8 children do not survive. I would love to see that number change, 1 in 8 is too many lives lost!
Tackle Kids Cancer provides an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. It is a way for a child to help another child, and families to help other families. Tackle Kids Cancer funds pediatric cancer research and innovative patient care programs to help find a cure.
Every donation makes a difference. Donate HERE today and let’s try and find a cure for pediatric cancer!
