Go Bold for Gold

September is National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and Histiocytosis Awareness Month. As many of you know, I am a childhood cancer survivor, so each year, I give back to the wonderful organizations and communities that helped me throughout my cancer experience.

Did you know that only 4% of cancer funding research goes towards pediatrics? This 4% has been holding back improvements in the field: treatments are outdated, and children suffer. I urge you to think about the depth more funding could provide. Not only could this further research but provide progressing treatment options, create more resources for children on treatment, generate support options for families of children, and most importantly, increase the survival rate. This month I am hosting a fundraiser for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Please consider donating $5 or more to improve the life of a child battling cancer.

In 1997, a group of parents of children impacted by cancer chose gold to represent childhood cancer. This year, I am going BOLD for gold. Are you?

If you want to hear more about my cancer journey, read below!

I was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis when I was ten years old. I went through multiple surgeries and countless rounds of chemotherapy. Although my doctors and staff were incredibly kind and supportive, constantly being in and out of hospitals and infusion centers was dreadful. I was drained and exhausted for months on end. After 3 years of treatment, I was pronounced cancer-free. Even after years off-treatment, other cancer survivors and I still struggle with cancer's long-lasting effects on our bodies. I am proud to say, I have been off treatment for 5 years. I celebrate my battle every day, but I recognize not every child is as lucky as I was. Thousands of children are still fighting and will continue to fight because that is their only option. This fundraiser is how I chose to honor those children we’ve lost, children in treatment, and children living life after cancer.