Fight Like a Kid

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Many of the people on my friends list know this, some do not. We've all seen the stories, and if you're like me, you have shed some tears, for families you don't know who have been dealt an impossible hand. Over the years those stories started hitting closer to home. We all watched helplessly as Jofought for Dante after he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. We watched as Chasfought with Cassie to beat Leukemia. Then it happened to my child. Being told that your child has cancer is not something I would wish on anyone.. sitting under florescent lights as the world stops and you try with everything you have to not react so you don't scare your child. Everything sounded like I was underwater. The room was spinning and nothing made sense, and then Paige asked me if she was going to die. And how do you even answer that? The causes of childhood cancers are not lifestyle factors, the cellular changes that lead to diagnosis are already happening as early as when they are still in the womb. They are different than adult cancers in terms of treatment, and in terms of long term effects because we want our children to be healthy when they get to the other side. As it is, many children do suffer long term effects from treatments into adulthood. Some childhood cancers are easier to cure than others, and some have no cure. We can do better. September is about more than gold ribbons and facebook posts. Awareness is important, but awareness without action is not going to help our kids. You know that I have been fundraising for awhile, and this is why. I can not sit by idly, throw up some posts about how unfair and unjust something is, and expect change. If we want change, we need to BE the change. Before us, there were parents and memebers of the community and businesses who have all done their part to help fund the fight. This September, it's my turn. It's OUR turn. More research means better treatments in terms of both effectiveness and long term effects. It means better screening, it means more funds to help families who are dealing with incredible costs associated with cancer treatment. It means more hope, less fear, and more children going home to their families to live the rest of their lives. So many of my friends and family have already donated, and I am so grateful. Team Paige has raised $2,649 for the Mudmoiselle 5K benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society, which in turn funds educational materials, research grants and assists with travel costs for treatments and associated care. Miles of Stars for ALSF has raised $1,001 for research in Canada and the US, travel, and quality of life programs. As my extended community, you have all amazed me. This September, I am going to keep pushing to raise that amount because it is so, so important. Childhood cancer is not one disease. It is not black and white. There are children who are diagnosed who never have the luxury of fighting to win. We need to do better.