Organizations want to raise awareness for childhood cancer.
Buildings are landmarks in the whole world are going gold for the Light It Up Gold campaign, to raise awareness for childhood cancer. September is the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and people are trying everyone to be aware of the danger cancer can be, especially for children. There are thousands of kids who die because of this disease in the United States, every year. It is hard to think what a parent feels when he knows that his child could have only a few months to live.
Even though the campaign is from the United States, there were other countries, such as Ireland or the United Kingdom, who wanted to participate. For example, in Dublin, the campaign was launched with a candlelit walk. Many building joined the campaign by going gold. Mary Claire Rennick , from Childhood Cancer Foundation, said that they had a huge response from buildings in Ireland.
Her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013 and she wanted to help others survive this hard period. As she said, “Increased awareness will improve early detection and increase understanding among policymakers and communities which will hopefully reduce the isolation of families going through childhood cancer treatment and side effects.” Moreover, there will be more organizations who will want to help against this disease.
In Ireland, childhood cancer is the main cause of death in children. Organizations are trying to help researchers improve treatments and making parents understand that is important to go with their kids to see a doctor every year.
The problem is that even children who survive this disease are still in danger. According to the studies, 80 percent of childhood cancer survivors will have long-term effects. They will need treatment and protection. For some parents, it is very hard to understand that it could happen to their child. Unfortunately, the truth is that cancer is a disease that can damage your life, no matter the age. When the patient is a child, things are worse. You should think that those kids suffered more than some people in their whole life.
Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death for kids in the United States. Only four percent of federal funding was given for cancer research and there are few treatments made especially for children. Parents need more help from the authorities. Children are our future and we should protect them.
Image source: Wikipedia
