5 Ways To Help Kids During Brain Tumor Awareness Month
Brain tumors are the second most common type of childhood cancer (after leukemia) and the leading cause of cancer deaths among children and adolescents. Despite significant research progress over the last several decades, survival rates for certain brain cancers remain perilously low.
May is nationally recognized as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Here are five actions you can take this month to make a difference for children with brain tumors:
Join us in asking Congress to designate May 17th as National DIPG Awareness Day, to raise the profile of a devastatingly terminal childhood brain tumor. Every year, 200-400 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) - a brain cancer with a survival rate below one percent. Most of these kids will live less than a year after a diagnosis of DIPG. Take action →
Spread awareness about the warning signs of a potential brain tumor. Signs and symptoms of brain tumors are not the same in every child — and most symptoms are caused by something much less serious. But if you notice some of the signs from the graphic on this page and you have concerns, you should have a conversation with your child’s pediatrician. Save and share this infographic →
If you’re a brain tumor survivor, you can help us increase awareness by sharing your story. Your voice could be the one to encourage a family who is facing a new diagnosis, motivate a policymaker to take action, or inspire a generous benefactor with time or money who is looking for a cause to support. Share your story →
Write a Letter to the Editor: Make sure your community is informed about childhood brain tumors by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper. Include a powerful statistic (such as: 12.2% of all newly diagnosed brain tumors occur under age 20; or three out of every ten childhood cancer deaths are caused by brain cancer) and share your own connection to childhood cancer if you have one. Research the submission guidelines for your local paper - letters should usually be kept under 300 words - and have someone review your piece before you send it in. Tips for getting your letter published →
Commit to our June challenge to walk 50 miles for kids with cancer. Learn more about how the challenge works and get started →
By raising awareness about brain tumors, you’ll help kids like Ryan, who was just five years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The native of Sullivan, Missouri, battled through late effects of treatment from his first diagnosis and from a second surgery in the summer before eighth grade. As an active kid with a passion for sports, it was devastating that he suddenly had to relearn how to walk and how to throw a ball.
Growing up, he was often frustrated that he had to work so much harder than his peers, in school and in sports. “It’s been a battle to get back to ‘normal’ and struggle not to be angry about why this happened to me,” Ryan told us. “I just have to work around those things I cannot change and focus on what I can do and do it the best. I am a fighter!”
Watch the video below to learn more about Ryan and his fight.