September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor children and families affected by these rare diseases, and help rally support to give kids with cancer better outcomes by supporting research.  Each year in the U.S., 15,780 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer; approximately 1/4 of them will not survive the disease.  During the month of September alone, 25,000 families around the world will get the horrible news that their child or teen has cancer, and 6,667 families will experience the loss of a child. 

Cancer, and the treatments that cure it, can be accompanied with many symptoms that therapy can help with.  For example, physical therapy can help children maintain or get back strength, endurance, and movement skills.  Occupational therapy can help children to participate in self-care, play, and fine motor skills.  Speech therapy can help with language/communication and swallowing problems. 

There are many organizations that support and advocate for families affected by childhood cancer through research and events.  To learn more about them and to find out how you can get involved, check out their websites.  American Childhood Cancer Organization, Go Gold Fund, and Children’s Cancer Research Fund are just a few.

Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L