The fight against childhood Cancer is ongoing. According to the National Cancer Institute, over the past 20 years, the number of children diagnosed as having cancer has increased from 11.5 cases per 100,000 kids in 1975 to 14.8 for 100,000 children. In the same time, deaths rates have dropped dramatically. Experts agree that better medicine and increased awareness can lead to higher survival rates.
The National Children’s Cancer Society, (NCCS), is an organization that takes essential action. They have a history of providing financial, emotional and educational support for children diagnosed with cancer and their families.
NCCS celebrates its 20th anniversary 25th anniversaryThis is 25 years of support to more than 28,000 children across the U.S. NCCS was founded in 1993 and has evolved to include programs like the Pediatric Oncology Program, which has given more than $52 million to families, as well as Beyond the Cure. Beyond the Cure, a survivorship program that educates children and families about the difficulties they might face as childhood cancer patients, has given $100,000 in college scholarships this year to 32 cancer survivors.
“The NCCS recipients show all of us how to successfully turn a challenge into something positive,”Mark Stolze is the NCCS president, CEO. “The Beyond the Cure Scholarship Program is a vehicle to help these individuals move forward with their lives in a meaningful way.”
These programs offer children with cancer a better chance of making a full recovery. This is especially true for children who do not have access to high-quality health care and proper treatment. POP helps to reduce the family’s financial burden by covering ongoing costs such as gas money, meal assistance, and in some cases, insurance premiums. Parents whose incomes are affected by the illness of their child have an added level of security.
Go to for more information about the NCCS and how to cope with pediatric cancer. www.thenccs.org. For more information about Beyond the Cure visit www.beyondthecure.org.
