September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a month where the Federal Government, States, and Non-Profit organizations recognize childhood cancer through programs and activities to increase public knowledge of the risks of cancer. Made official by the government on September 26, 2019, it also is set aside to recognize the toll it takes on kids and families while pledging to make the cure and prevention a public health priority.

In the midst of the search for cures and prevention tactics for childhood cancer, it is disheartening to realize that kids are diagnosed with cancer on a daily basis. The impact of a cancer diagnosis on a family is immediate and overwhelming, turning their lives upside down in an instant.

Imagine the heart-wrenching moment when a family hears those dreaded words, "Your child has cancer." It is a moment that no parent should ever have to experience. 

This is where the Pinky Swear Foundation steps in. Founded 20 years ago by a courageous child with cancer, we provide financial support to families who are dealing with childhood cancer. We know that the everyday essentials like transportation, food, and housing become even more crucial when a child is battling cancer.

While medical bills may be delayed or covered by insurance, the reality is that families are still burdened with things like car payments, gas bills, and grocery costs. These seemingly mundane bills may not seem significant in the grand scheme of things, but they play a significant role in the decisions that families must make during a cancer diagnosis.

Imagine a parent contemplating whether they should quit their job to have more time to care for their sick child, knowing that doing so would only worsen the financial strain. Or the desperation of a family trying to juggle multiple jobs just to keep up with the mounting bills. And then there are the agonizing moments of questioning whether they can afford the gas money to take their child to their crucial medical appointments.

The list of difficult decisions and heart-wrenching dilemmas goes on and on, leaving families feeling trapped and overwhelmed. It is an unimaginable burden that no family should ever have to bear.

This month, we are calling upon all compassionate individuals to join us in fundraising for kids with cancer and their families. Because of people like you, we can say "yes" to more families in need. Together, we can alleviate the financial burden that weighs so heavily on these families and provide them with the relief and support they so desperately deserve.

Childhood cancer should not just be a statistic or a month of awareness. It should be a call to action for all of us to come together and make a real difference in the lives of these brave children and their families. Start a fundraiser today and download our fundraising tips.