Childhood cancer is the least funded cancer among the major types of cancer. It is estimated that for every dollar raised for cancer research, pediatric cancer gets about $.01 of it. One penny. I wish I could find the link to different research to prove it, but today I can't. But here is a link to a very interesting study on long term outcomes for pediatric cancer patients. http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com/forum/topics/currentlongtermoutcomes
As a parent, it's hard to sit through another month of people missing our month, and watching my friend's kids get relapse and sometimes die because they don't have enough money for research. I knew I had to do something to help, but what? If you know me, I am not a great organizer. So I would not be able to organize an event to raise money. But then I had an idea, I can write. So these last few days of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2012, I will be writing different articles to bring awareness to this disease. This is the first one I am writing.
Gail Gaymer Martin recently wrote a series for the Love Inspired Line called Dreams Come True. This series is about a fictional wish granting organization in Michigan called Dreams Come True. There are three books in the series and each one deals with a character with some kind of pediatric cancer in the book. I read the first one (about leukemia, which my son had), and it characterizes very well what a parent goes through. The books are all about $4.24 right now. To many, childhood cancer is a sad thing, something to avoid, but you can be guaranteed with Love Inspired Books that there will be a happy ending, some romance, and good theology. A Dad of His Own
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dad-of-his-own-gail-gaymer-martin/1100342288?ean=9780373876570
A Family of Their Own
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/family-of-their-own-gail-gaymer-martin/1101999205?ean=9780373876945
A Dream of His Own
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-dream-of-his-own-gail-gaymer-martin/1108051894?ean=9780373877461
There are also some other, non-Christian fiction books that I liked about childhood cancer. The first one My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult was the best, in my opinion (it's also a movie). It is gripping and explains the medical side of the cancer very well. The second one I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler is about a younger sister, in high school, watching her sister go through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. It has some sex and alcohol in it, but I think it's a wonderful book about a sibling's cancer experience. Over the years on the children's oncology floor, I have seen many siblings in silent agony while their brother or sister is sick. This book gave a great voice to the siblings. Both these books are currently on sale for under $5.00. If you can't afford to buy these books, I suggest to try your local library. Mine has eBooks to check out on my NOOK, not all the ones listed but hopefully someday.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-sisters-keeper-jodi-picoult/1100306511?ean=9780743488815
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-not-her-janet-gurtler/1100076215?ean=9781402256370
