Sydney here. I feel incredibly blessed to have come along side you this past year in the fight to end childhood cancer.
The more I learn about finding a cure, the more I am shocked at the incredible scientific advancements our society has made while there are some areas that are left far behind.
Areas that directly affect 43 children per day. Over 300 children a week. And almost 16,000 children a year in the US alone. Of course, I’m talking about childhood cancer.
4% of the federal cancer research budget is dedicated to fighting childhood cancers. And while I believe that number is entirely too small, critics may say that since childhood cancer makes up a small portion of all the cancers diagnosed annually, that number is pretty good.
I say for the 43 children who are diagnosed 7 days a week, it’s not good enough.
Did you know that as many as two-thirds of children that survive cancer in childhood have late side effects, disabilities, or other adverse outcomes? These side effects can include obstacles such as learning and growth impairments, all the way to more extreme problems of secondary cancers.
So yes, childhood cancers may make up a small portion of the cancers overall diagnosed, but the side effects from the available treatments create horrendous health problems down the road that often lead to early death after all. What if we could prevent that? What if that first step in finding an end, is finding a better way to survive?
The 43 children who are diagnosed 7 days a week need a better way to survive.
Sometimes, it can feel like any donation given, no matter the size, is a drop in the bucket in fighting such a monster. But day by day, penny by penny, we are getting closer to a discovery that will change the course of history. All we can do is hold out that hope and provide the resources that these researchers need to make that discovery.
So we press on, and we do it for our next generation. Imagine an entire school bus full of kids… That’s how many begin their journey with cancer every single day. It’s a journey of treatments that are toxic to fully developed adults, let alone babies and children.
43 children. 7 days a week. They deserve more. 43/7 is a reminder of the children we are fighting for in a race against time. Will you join us?
You can pledge to give to research monthly below, and be listening throughout the month to find out more ways you can get involved.
Thank you for your continued love and support!
Until there’s a cure,
Sydney Hurley, Executive Director
Want to tell your friends about 43/7?
Here we have 43 jelly beans.
Save this photo and post to your social media pages to let your friends, family, and followers know that this many children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States every single day!
Donors of the Month
Garry and Kathy Eudy
“OHOH is one of the organizations we give to on a monthly basis because they are totally focused on funding research for a cure for childhood cancer. There are many other services and provisions related to childhood cancer that are needed. For example, some might provide medicine for patients or lodging for their family. But, if a cure is found, none of these services would be needed.
We will continue to give to OHOH until there’s a cure for childhood cancer. No grandparent should ever have to hear that their grandchild has cancer.”