Did You Know?

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

A few weeks ago a special was aired nationally on TV called “Stand Up to Cancer”. I was unable to watch it because we did not have electricity thanks to a visit by Hurricane Gustav.

The show was used to help raise money for research in the battle to find new cures for cancer. Sadly, in talking to several friends who saw the special, I learned that there was only one doctor who represented childhood cancer out of all the specialists featured on the program! Wow...

I can only imagine how disappointed all the parents (myself included) of children battling cancer felt with such little emphasis given to childhood cancer. If the nation could only see this part of the cancer world where so many brave little soldiers are fighting for their lives everyday I know their hearts would have been touched.

While I greatly appreciate all the monies that are being spent on research for breast cancer, prostate, lung, and other cancers that seem to grip at the heart of our nation, I could not help but question…

“What about our children?”

Childhood cancer affects thousands of children each year. Did you know that in America - 46 new cases are being diagnosed every day?

Cancer is the most common cause of illness-related death in children. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in children, after accidents. 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer every year.

So what can you do to help out?

Each year Chili’s donates 100% of their profits for one day to St. Jude. This year the date is September 29th. There goal is to raise over $50 million dollars toward research. This donation will be the largest donation from a single partner campaign in St. Jude’s history!

Last year the new Chili's Care Center was opened at St. Jude in Memphis . My son had the chance to be treated in this beautiful new facility on our last visit to St. Jude in April. It is a fabulous building with State-of-the-Art technology. This is a tribute to all those who gave and who still see childhood cancer as something worth fighting and beating!

(Thanks Chili's)

Countless MRI's, CT's, Pet Scans and various other treatments are being done daily in this awesome new building. Would you be willing to take your family out to dinner at Chili’s to help them reach their goal on Monday Sept. 29th, 2008 for a fun and rewarding time? Your children could even go online and Create a Pepper. It's fun and it's easy. Every dollar counts.

Another way you can help the children is by participating in a new Virtual Walk, which is being sponsored by CureSearch. One of my dearest friends, Tonya, has a Team she's designated in honor of her brave son Brent this year. He lost his battle here on earth, but his memory lives on and helps us keep fighting until this beast is defeated. For a donation of any amount, you can join her and many others this month. Please check this event out here. Thanks Tonya!

So many people, (and I once was among them myself), are totally unaware of the wide reaching effects of childhood cancer in our society. That is why I am so glad that September has been set aside to help bring this cause to the attention of our nation. Too many children will be diagnosed this year, and too many that have already been diagnosed will be lost. Time is so critical.

Alone the task seems to daunting, but together we can join our hearts,
our prayers, and our finances to conquer this giant.

I'd like to conclude by honoring some very brave warriors we have had the privilege of knowing during Jordan's journey. (There were many more, I just don't have access to their pictures now.) Some of these precious children are still in the battle now. They show us what bravery and courage truly looks like.

Let's help make a difference today.