National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. As most of you know childhood cancer hit home with my family this year, when my 2 year old, Ezra was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

“About 10,730 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2009.

Despite its rarity and the major advances in treatment and supportive care, cancer is still the leading cause of death from disease in children younger than 15 years old. About 1,380 children are expected to die from cancer in 2009.

The most common cancers of children are leukemias, brain and other nervous system tumors, lymphomas (lymph tissue cancers), bone cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, kidney cancers, and eye cancers.”

Are you asking yourself “What can I do to help?”, well I hope you are. There are many ways to help children with cancer, some don’t even cost you a dime.

Give Blood

Many children with cancer, including Ezra will need blood over the course of their treatment. Ezra has already had two blood transfusions, and I know he will need more. The other day the blood bus was parked outside the grocery store, I took it as a sign, and walked right in and donated blood for the first time. I always thought it would be a long, painful process. It wasn’t at all, after I was registered it maybe took 25 minutes to get my blood. I plan to donate as much as I can.

To find a place where you can donate blood, go here and and type in your address. You can also donate platelets at many of these places, it takes awhile longer, and usually you need an appointment. Many cancer children also need platelets. This does not cost you a dime and can help many, many people.

                                                                                                    

Give Bone Marrow

You can go to Be the Match website and sign up to donate your bone marrow. They will ask you some health related questions to determine if you would be suitable to donate bone marrow. They then send you a kit to swab the inside of your cheek. I can not donate bone marrow currently, because I have had a major surgery in the last 12 months, but very shortly I will be able to join their registry.

You can also donate your babies cord blood, read more about it here.

I am hoping Ezra never needs a bone marrow transplant, but you never know who’s life you could save. Bone Marrow can save lives, you can save a life!

                                                                                                   

Spirit Jump

Spirit Jump is a really amazing non profit for cancer patients, survivors, friends and family. At Spirit Jump they match up Jumpers with Jumpees, and the Jumpers send cards, or small gifts  to the Jumpee to jump their spirit! The Jumpees are people that are currently fighting cancer or some other life threatening illness.

When you sign up to become a Jumper you will be notified of people in need of a Spirit Jump. You then send them a card or a small gift to lift their spirits.

We have received some really amazing cards and gifts in the mail. Not only have some of the Jumpers sent things for Ezra, but Rowan has gotten gifts, and so have I!

Most recently the boys just got these adorable Monsters from this woman’s shop, Chasing My Star. 

So those of you that have Etsy shops or are artisans of some sort, I urge you to check out Spirit Jump. Even if you don’t have a shop or are not an artisan, check it out, you can buy gifts and cards, they do not have to be handmade.

“There is no "adoption" or long commitments you can send 1 card or send a gift every week....its up to you. Please check this site out and help jump spirits!”

It would also be a great idea to do with your kids, especially those of you that home school.

Spirit Jump is growing so fast, they need more Jumpers now!

                                                                                                  

Gabe’s Chemo Duck Program

I have no clue how my aunt stumbled upon Chemo Duck, but when she arrived for a visit, she had one in her suitcase for Ezra. The Chemo Duck is so neat, and both of the boys enjoy playing with it.

Here is what a Chemo Duck is:

“A 12” soft play therapy tool.
• Designed to be soothing and visually appealing.
• Designed to mirror the child’s body during chemotherapy, without being fear-provoking.
• Dressed in hospital pajamas and a bandana.
• Available in 2 models, Port or Hickman.
• Furnished with an arm immobilizer. Accompanied by a bilingual, educational book to explain how best to use your duck.
• Accompanied by a mini DVD with educational materials for parents.”

We added to ours a face mask at one time, a hospital name band, and a blood pressure cuff, especially since Ezra hates having his bp taken. While he was in the hospital the nurses did many procedures to our Chemo Duck.

You can visit Gabe’s Chemo Duck and sponsor a duck for a child for only $25.00.

                                                                                                    

Donate Money

You can donate money to any of the great following causes:

CureSearch: CureSearch unites the world's largest childhood cancer research organization, the Children's Oncology Group, and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation through our mission to cure childhood cancer. Research is the key to the cure.

Candlelighters: Our mission is to provide information and awareness for children and adolescents with cancer and their families, to advocate for their needs, and to support research so every child survives and leads a long and healthy life.

Make a Wish: We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Give Kids the World: Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.

Cancer Care: CancerCare is a national nonprofit, 501 c(3) organization that provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. CancerCare programs—including counseling and support groups, education, financial assistance and practical help—are provided by professional oncology social workers and are completely free of charge

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $600 million in research funding.

Jays World, Childhood Cancer Foundation : The Foundation awards a scholarship each year to a child who has or has had cancer and is continuing on to college. These recipients are taking a journey that many thought would not be possible and against all odds are pursuing their dreams through college. Funds also support local hospitals that specialize in pediatric oncology and hematology and the children they are treating.

Camp Boggy Creek : The Mission of Camp Boggy Creek is to enrich the lives of children who have chronic or life threatening illnesses by creating camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound.