Childhood Cancer - Seeing Gold Through the Pink

[Susan Beausang]

Cancer.  The word alone makes us shift in discomfort and compels us to immediately redirect our thoughts away, towards words and thoughts that strike less fear, unless….  Unless cancer has become more than a word on our tongues and in our lives.

Cancer.  Child.  Childhood Cancer.  The absolute worst modifier I can think of for that dreaded word “cancer.”  And yet, it is the modifier that together with “cancer” represents the reality of  approximately 12,400 children and their families each year in the U.S.  Today, cancer is the most common cause of death by disease for children and adolescents in the U.S.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  The ribbon color is GOLD.  How many gold ribbons have you seen?  They are difficult to see through all the Pink so spread the word.  No one wants or deserves cancer, least of all our precious children.