My Kennedy : September 2020

If you aren’t aware, September is childhood cancer awareness month. A month easily forgotten by those unaffected.

4 Year Old Kennedy

Did you know that 15,780 kids in the U.S are diagnosed with cancer each year? Could you imagine? In an instant, your life is changed forever. Whether you are the patient or simply just connected with them, you will never be the same again. Life all of a sudden becomes a gift. You quickly realize how privileged you were or are depending on the situation. Time becomes precious. Your scared. You want to cry. Dealing with this is the last thing you want to do. Why you? Why your family? You’re so ready to break down and scream, but you need to be strong. The only thing you can do is keep your head up and pretend like you know that everything is going to turn out fine.

Over 15,000 families go through that each year. 20% of those families have to deal with the worst situation possible, losing a child. You may not realize the significance of this disease. The impact it makes on millions of peoples lives. Cancer doesn’t only happen to adults; children experience it too.

Special Spaces Room Makeover

So, what can we do about it? Well, childhood cancer is the number now cause of children’s death by disease in the U.S, yet its distastefully underfunded. Of the 4.9 billion dollars supplied to The National Cancer Institute each year, only 195 million is granted to the children’s fund. That’s only 4% of the whole budget. Insane right? There are hundreds of amazing foundations working alongside these children bringing them joy and helping them fight their battle.

Here are a few that impacted my life:

· Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation (Grants kids customizable $500 “bear hugs” or wishes while fighting for a cure and also supports childhood cancer research)

· Make aWish Illinois (Gives kids the opportunityto experience their dream wish while continuing to fight for a cure)

· Special Spaces (Gives children a customized free room makeover)