…but not really
Looking through the pictures for that last post really got to me.. About what pediatric cancer really looks like.. Its not just bald kids.. or swollen faces. Or feeding tubes and barf bags.. Often times there is something even worse that all of that..
being left behind.
with my 4 kids….but not really
- Sisters…together. but not really.
- The only yearbook she will ever have.
My 2 yr old with his big sister in the back yard..but not really
what this mother looked like after her daughters kindergarten promotion. ..
Her siblings saying congratulations, we love you. .. but not really
my 6yr olds certificate of completing kindergarten..but not really.
And then I get really angry. This is not the way its supposed to be. It is not the way it has to be.
60 kids were on that stage this morning. In just over a week. 8.5 days. That many children will die from cancer in this country.
7 a day.
It is not rare. I am not alone. Far from it.
Cancer is the number one disease killer of children. (national cancer institute)
It is the number two killer of our kids. Number one is accidents.. which is such a broad term so many things fall under it.
Our government spends 4% of the money allocated for cancer research on pediatric cancer. Even a 1% increase translates to an additional $50,000,000! (truth365)
Its time to get angry. Its time to do something. First step. Spread the glitter. Share the facts. The more people that know the louder we are.
Second step be aware of where we donate our money.. if you want it to go towards adult cancer research find the best place, American Cancer Society is one that has done so much for adult cancers.
If you want it to go for childhood cancer .. there are so many options. Good people doing good things…MckennaClaire specifically to fight pediatric brain tumors. TeamG which supplies hope totes to newly diagnosed families..Project Violet allows you to adopt a drug candidate, The Young and the Brave allows you to directly help warriors and Awoccf which funds trials and looks for less toxic treatments.
And my personal endeavor. Funding the drs that have my daughters tumor . A donation we made just an hour after she died in my arms. Here is a news segment about our family and that choice we made. Our goal is 100,000 in their hands by the one year anniversary of her death. That amount will pay for another researcher in the lab..one more pair of hands working towards finding the cure.
Go here Jennifer Lynn Kranz Fund at Stanford if you are so inclined.
..back to first step..
Glitter is like knowledge.. it sticks with you.. Spread the glitter!
