🎗 About Childhood Cancer

What Is Childhood Cancer?

Childhood cancer is not one disease but many, including leukemia, brain tumors, and solid tumors such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumor. It begins in children and teens (typically under age 18) and often behaves differently than adult cancers.

📊 Key Facts

• Every day, about 47 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer.

• 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday.

• Leukemia (especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL) is the most common childhood cancer.

• Brain and central nervous system tumors are the second most common.

• Unlike adult cancers, childhood cancer is not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental factors.

🧪 Common Treatments

Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer. Most kids will receive a combination of:

• Chemotherapy – Powerful drugs to kill cancer cells

• Radiation therapy – High-energy rays to destroy cancer

• Surgery – To remove tumors

• Stem cell transplants – To rebuild bone marrow after intense treatment

• Immunotherapy – Boosts the immune system to fight cancer

Many treatments are aggressive and can last months or even years, leading to physical, emotional, and financial challenges for families.

❤️ The Long-Term Impact

• Two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors will have long-term health effects from treatment, such as heart issues, fertility problems, or secondary cancers.

• Survivors often face social and emotional challenges even after being declared cancer-free.

• Support, research, and compassionate care are critical—and that’s where organizations like T-Strong step in.

🧡 Why Awareness Matters

Less than 4% of federal cancer research funding is dedicated to childhood cancer. Increasing awareness leads to:

• More funding for better, safer treatments

• More support for families in crisis

• A stronger community of advocates and survivors

🙌 How You Can Help

Whether you’re a donor, sponsor, or volunteer, your support helps us deliver comfort, raise awareness, and bring hope to children battling cancer across Ohio.