Around the world, September is recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Many organizations focused on cancer adopt a gold ribbon to symbolize childhood and adolescent cancers as “Gold is a precious metal and since children are our most precious treasures, it is indeed a perfect symbol for the childhood cancer journey” (SIOP Europe). CLIC and other peer childhood cancer organizations working year-round on research, advocacy, and family support often hold special campaigns to raise awareness and fundraise for our missions. Here are a few of our partners and their special September initiatives:
Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) – Great Cycle Challenge
“Our goal is to fund life-saving research to develop safer and more effective treatments, and find cures for all childhood cancers. Because kids should be living life, NOT fighting for it.” Anyone can register to ride in the GCC, make a personal goal of miles to ride, fundraise to fight kids’ cancer, and log their miles throughout September. Some of our CLIC members are riding this month!
International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) – Gold September
“Participating in this campaign is expressing solidarity, standing up and speaking out for and with children/adolescents with cancer, childhood cancer survivors and their families. This year, we seek to raise awareness about disparities in care and treatment.”
SIOP asks everyone to 1) create awareness: on social media, like and share stories from SIOP’s community members who submitted their experiences and insights on childhood cancer and the hurdles they face. 2) Show your support: add a gold ribbon to your own social media page. 3) Spread the word: use gold light or prominently display a gold ribbon on front facades of offices, buildings, institutions, and/or monuments throughout the month of September.
Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) – September Proclamations
CLIC joined CAC2 last year. CAC2 is a group focused on connecting and supporting all types of childhood cancer organizations under these impact areas: Advocacy, Awareness, Research & Treatment, Family Support, and Survivorship. They have members from across North America including 133 organizations, 293 associate members, and 87 individuals and publish a monthly newsletter.
This year, CAC2 posted a guide for how to reach out to local and state governmental officials to proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Month. They encourage everyone – organizations and individuals – to do this small step to make a difference.
Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation – CureFest
CureFest for Childhood Cancer Weekend will be held in Washington, DC on September 20 – 22, 2024. This is a gathering of the childhood cancer community to spend the weekend discussing, advocating, and supporting each other in the US Capitol. Events include summits, speaking with members of Congress, workshops, parades, speeches, and performances led by people directly affected by childhood cancer.
Although CLIC is fully involved in childhood cancer research, our special fundraiser, “CLICsgiving” occurs in November and December each year, the holiday season in North America. In September this year, we are supporting our partner organizations, applying for grants to fund our research, and persisting in our mission to find out why kids get cancer.