By Ruthe Rosen, Founder of The Let It Be Foundation
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to honor, love and support the families of children who were diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. The Let It Be Foundation recognizes the burdens placed on families going through this difficult time and want to bring awareness and comfort to loved ones.
Cancer Fact: The most common types of cancer diagnosed in children and adolescents are leukemia, brain and other central nervous system tumors, lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, bone cancer, and gonadal (testicular and ovarian) germ cell tumors. (cancer.gov)
Let It Be Fact: Regardless of the treatment’s end, be it remission or heaven, as a team we are there. The monthly average a family is cared for through The Let It Be Foundation is 16 months.
Cancer Fact: Although cancer in children is rare, it is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children in the United States. (A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 2014)
Let It Be Fact: Since launching The Let It Be Foundation in 2006, we have celebrated remission with 67% of the Families we have helped. MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!
Cancer Fact: The cause of most childhood cancers are unknown, and for the most part, they cannot be prevented. In rare cases, children are at increased risk of developing a certain cancer due to inherited genetic alterations. (Cancer.gov)
Let It Be Fact: No matter the childhood diagnosis, at The Let It Be Foundation we love and care for all of our Let It Be Kids with 100% HOPE!
Cancer Fact: The incidence of childhood cancer has increased every year for over 25 years. (Childhoodcancer.org)
Let It Be Fact: Since cancer has not stopped, neither will we!
Nothing prepares a parent to hear those devastating words: “your child has cancer.” Nothing prepares a parent to let go and say goodbye.
Without any warning or preparation, your entire family must now focus on the healing and treating of this awful disease. Since childhood cancer has no economic or race boundaries, it can happen to someone you love or someone your child goes to school with. For some parents, the fear and exhaustion of worry makes them unable to work, causing stress and depression. For most dual-working families, one parent must reduce or eliminate their work hours to assist with doctor visits and hospital stays, resulting in a financial burden to their household. For some families, the restriction and isolation causes them to change the way they live day-to-day, but for all families, regardless of their economic status, race, or community, they “just want to be normal.”
CHALLENGE YOURSELF:
Please use this month to reach out and do something to make a difference for a child with cancer. Write a letter, cook a meal, mow their lawn, walk their dog, offer a simple helping hand, but most importantly say a prayer.