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.
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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