Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I know far too many families that are currently battling cancer. I also know too many families that have lost that battle and their children are now among the angels.

Here's some facts for you (facts obtained from 46 Mommas):

• In the U.S., about 46 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every week day. That's about the equivalent of two entire classrooms.

• Attempts to detect childhood cancers at an earlier stage, when the disease would react more favorably to treatment, have largely failed. Young patients often have a more advanced stage of cancer when first diagnosed. Approximately 20% of adults with cancer show evidence the disease has spread; yet almost 80% of children show that the cancer has spread to distant sites at the time of diagnosis.

• Cancer in childhood occurs regularly, randomly, and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region.

• Today up to 75% of the children with cancer can be cured; yet, some forms of childhood cancers have proven so resistant to treatment that, in spite of research, a cure is elusive.

• Nationally, childhood cancer is 20 times more prevalent than pediatric AIDS. Yet, pediatric AIDS receives four times the funding that childhood cancer receives.

• Childhood cancer is not a single disease, but rather many different types that fall into 12 major categories. Common adult cancers are extremely rare in children, yet many cancers are almost exclusively found in children.

• Childhood Cancers are cancers that primarily affect children, teens, and young adults. When cancer strikes children and adolescents it affects them differently than it would an adult, often causing problems related to developmental issues.

• The cause of most childhood cancers is unknown and at present, childhood cancers cannot be prevented. Most adult cancers result from lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, occupation, and other exposure to cancer-causing agents.

• Childhood Cancers are the #1 disease killer of children. More than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined.

• Common cancer symptoms in children — fever, swollen glands, anemia, bruises and infection — are often suspected to be, and at the early stages are treated as, other childhood illnesses.

• On the average, every high school in America has two students who are a current or former cancer patient.

Crazy facts, right? We personally know two children who have battled, or are currently battling, some form of cancer. 

Sweet ^^Bryce^^ is the cutie pie that ignited by passion for childhood cancer awareness.  Scott and I both worked with his mom, Amy, when we were on Main Street back in the day. I remember speaking with Amy after Bryce was born and then hearing the news about him having Rhabdomyosarcoma.  Bryce spent 674 days 12 hours 56 minutes and 2 seconds on this earth and touched so many lives. He is someone I carry with me daily.

There are so many great organizations that you can visit to learn more about childhood cancer, or to support. St. Baldricks, 46 Mommas, and St. Jude are just a few.

Something else you can do is color a pepper at Chili's this month. You can also create a pepper on their website. The money from these peppers go to St. Jude's.

Please join me in supporting this amazing cause not only this month, but every month. 

Off the Neverland....

When I woke up yesterday morning I immediately checked my phone, something I've done since sweet Bryce was admitted to the hospital. I saw an email from Amy about Bryce passing and was welling up with tears when Aaron came into bed with me and proceeded to rip a nasty fart and say "Oh, 'cuse me's!". It was almost like a signal that life continues to go on. It wasn't until after the kids were tucked into bed for the night that I actually gave myself a moment to process everything and I saw this video someone made the family:



I cannot think of a more beautiful way to honor Bryce. Fly high sweet Bryce, we may have only had you for 674 days but they were the best 674 days.

Please continue to pray for Bryce as he makes his journey, and for Amy, George and Wade. If you would like to help in any way please check out Amy's page on 46 Mommas and The Tiny Sparrow Foundation.

My Hero

When people talk about their hero's a lot of people will name sports stars, politicians, celebrities or religious leaders. Believe me, I have several hero's in all of those categories, but I also have a hero that does not fall in that category and her name is Amy Raub.

Amy's son Bryce was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on May 4, 2009, the day before my kiddos turned one. She has handled this whole ordeal with grace, poise and sheer determination. The strength that she has is something that absolutely amazes me. I literally cry every morning reading her journals about Bryce and pray for some comfort for the entire family.

I'm telling you all of this because, in true hero fashion, Amy is joining the 46 Mommas. 46 Mommas is a group of, you guessed it, 46 Mommas whose children are affected by cancer. In conjunction with St. Baldrick's all of these women will shave their head in support of their children.



How powerful is that? I should have warned you to grab some tissues. I cannot tell you how much I admire Amy, and the other 45 Mommas, for doing this. I hope events like this can bring more awareness and fund more research. Be sure to check out 46 Mommas and Amy's page to see how you can help.

Please continue to pray for Bryce, Amy, George and Wade during this time.