Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize the children and families affected by childhood cancers and to emphasize the importance of supporting research on these devastating conditions. Since 1947, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital have worked together to care for children with cancer and to improve outcomes through cutting-edge research.

This month, and throughout the year, we honor the children currently battling cancer, the families who love them, the clinicians and other caregivers treating them, the survivors of childhood cancer, the children who lost their lives to childhood cancer, and the researchers working to conquer childhood cancer.

Did you know... ?

• Survival rates continue to rise... In 1975, 61 percent of U.S. children with cancer survived. Today, 84 percent do. >> Infographic: Four things to know about childhood cancer
• ...but are lagging in less-developed countries. Eighty percent of cases of childhood cancer are in the developing world, where survival averages 20 percent. >> Learn about how we're working to improve those outcomes
• In the 21^st century, treatment for cancer is being transformed. >> Read about recent advancements in pediatric cancer treatment

Stories from our childhood cancer patients and clinicians

• Emma and Alexander’s story — Saving his sister’s life: A brother’s bone marrow cells help his sister send a rare form of leukemia into remission.
• Susan’s story — Still flourishing a half century later: When she was just 11 months old, Susan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Today, she serves as an inspiration for other patients and survivors.
• Sarah's story — Pediatric nurse focuses on patients’ health and happiness: "People think this place is depressing, but we’re a lot of fun,” says Sarah Bryant, a stem cell transplant nurse.
• Mahra's story — 8-year-old beats osteosarcoma and avoids amputation: When other hospitals insisted Mahra's arm must be amputated, Mahra's family instead traveled to Dana-Farber/Boston Children's for limb-salvage surgery.
• Ziad’s story — A pint-sized patient with a huge medical challenge: Ziad heads to Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s after being diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), an aggressive form of liver cancer rare in children.
• Amelia’s story — Ewing sarcoma patient faces her disease with courage and insight: “I took a bad turn in life, and now I understand what’s going on when other people are struggling with their health and other challenges,” says 12-year-old, Amelia Zai.
• Erin’s story — Athlete’s mystery pain is low-grade glioma: After a successful surgery, Erin is back on the soccer field.
• Joey's story — When the baby has cancer: “Having a baby is tough. Having a baby with cancer is tougher,” says Katelyn Silva, whose son Joey was born with neuroblastoma.
• Mayor Walsh's story — From the clinic to the mayor's office: The challenges he faced in his life, including his cancer diagnosis when he was 7, helped fuel Martin Walsh's successful run for mayor of Boston.
• Kate's story — A patient and doctor team come full circle: A childhood cancer survivor grows up and gets an internship working in the research lab of her childhood oncologist.

Childhood cancer treatment facts and tips

• Why are children more likely to get blood cancers than solid tumors? In children and adolescents, the most common malignancies are blood cancers.
  
• What is retinoblastoma and how is it treated? Thanks to recent advances, more than 95 percent of children with this rare eye cancer can be cured.
• What genetic syndromes can increase a child’s risk of cancer? Genetic testing can serve a vital proactive role in a child’s health.
• What should you know about pediatric germ cell tumors? These tumors are rare in children under the age of 15 but are the most common solid tumors in adolescents, age 15 to 19.
• What specialists does a child see when diagnosed with cancer? Your child's treatment may involve a whole range of medical experts.
• What should you know when picking a pediatric cancer surgeon? Here are five things to consider.
• What should you know to prepare for life after childhood cancer treatment? Completing cancer treatment can bring a range of emotions for pediatric patients and their families.
• What can we do to reduce the toxicity of childhood cancer treatment? It used to be that survival rate was the primary concern among pediatric oncologists. Now we ask: How can we help more children survive and survive better?
• What are the top five ways you can help a family whose child has cancer? We asked Jane Roper, whose daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
• What should you ask when your child finishes treatment? Julia Pettengill, mother of a young leukemia survivor, reflects on the six questions she wishes she'd asked when her daughter completed treatment.
• What should doctors consider when treating childhood cancer survivors? Lisa Diller, MD, lists the five things primary care providers should consider when treating children and adults who have survived a childhood cancer.