Childhood Cancer Awareness myths debunked

Some straight up facts

• There are about 10,000 children living with cancer in Canada today.
• Each year, about 1500 cases are diagnosed
• Because of significant advances in therapy, 78% of these children will survive 5 years or more, an increase of almost 46% since the early 1960s.
• More than 70 percent of children diagnosed with cancer become long-term survivors and the majority of them are considered cured. However, long-term effects of surviving the treatments for childhood cancer can affect these children’s futures.
• In the early 1950s, less than 10 percent of childhood cancer patients could be cured.
• Leukemias, tumors of the brain and nervous system, the lymphatic system, kidneys, bones and muscles are the most common childhood cancers.
• In Canada, childhood cancer remains responsible for more deaths from one year through adolescence than any other disease; more deaths than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and AIDS combined.
• About one in four children who are diagnosed with cancer will die of the disease.
• With a mortality rate of close to 25%, Canada loses tens of thousands of years of potential life each year to childhood cancer. In terms of potential life saved, childhood cancer rank second only to breast cancer.
• Childhood cancers differ from adult cancers. Adults are most affected by breast, lung, prostate, bowel and bladder cancers. Children are most affected by acute leukemia, tumours of the brain and nervous system, the lymphatic system, kidneys, bones and muscles.

From http://childhoodcancer.ca

Shandra’s Story

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This one hits home for me as I’ve shared in a previous blog. I have a son who is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed at 10 months, had surgery to remove a kidney at 11 months and started chemotherapy 2 days after his first Christmas. We spent that Christmas within the confines of hospital walls…and tubes…and sleeplessness.

The truth is we got the best possible outcome we could have in our situation. He’s 12 ½ years old, considered cured and has more energy than the rest of the household put together! Not everyone gets to experience that kind of story.

One thing I love about our story, though, is that it proves the importance and necessity of research. Ten years before he was diagnosed with a Wilm’s Tumour, the survival rate was somewhere around 10% for that type of childhood cancer. When he was in treatment the survival rate had advanced to 96%!! As a parent, you can imagine the gratefulness for anyone and everyone involved in the advancement of treatment and care to provide the kind of hope – and outcome – we had.

What your car has to do with it all

Donate A Car Canada is such a powerful tool for our charities to utilize because it fills so many needs in a variety of ways. Below are organizations that participate in our program and who directly impact childhood cancer awareness. One of the benefits of donating your vehicle using our tried and tested system, is that you choose who benefits. Whether it’s the Canadian Cancer Society, offering support for research and advancement, or whether it’s a Foundation the provides support to families, a Wish Foundation or a hospital, the number of people and organizations involved is monumental – and very much needed.

As you research your donation options and consider giving the funds generated from the sale of your vehicle to a worthy cause, please know that no matter how large or small the gift, it truly does make a difference and definitely impacts lives.  Just ask me.

Of the organizations listed below, 5 of them have had direct impact on, and involvement with, our family. It’s not small thing.

Alberta Red Cross

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

Kids Cancer Care Foundation

Kids With Cancer Society

Make A Wish Foundation

Stollery Children’s Hospital

Variety Manitoba

Easy as 1-2-3

Do you have a car, truck, van, or SUV to give to the cause of childhood cancer awareness? It’s so easy! Simply click the button below and fill in a donation form. It takes less than 10 minutes! Or, if you would like to speak with a real live human, give us a jingle at 1-877-250-4907 — we are here to help!

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Former donations processor shares her story

Several years ago I faced the crushing news that my 10 month old son had cancer. I learned he would require surgery to remove his kidney and the tumour attached to it.  He went on to be subjected to 6 months of chemotherapy to ensure all the cancerous cells were destroyed. I had driven by that hospital countless times never thinking about what actually went on there. The lives impacted daily, the challenges both families and staff faced as they cared for those in need, were not really on my radar then.

We received donations of things like a duffel bag filled with items helpful with a hospital stay. When you’re in crisis you don’t always think of the little things.

Volunteers from different organizations provided support in so many ways. We even experienced a wish being granted and my son having his dream come true – meeting Mickey Mouse! I wanted him to go swimming with the dolphins but…!

Help at the right time

In times when things look bleak and emotions are drained, charitable organizations that are established to support families like ours are invaluable. I cannot begin to tell you how much all the little things meant throughout the healing process. The donations that made those little things part of our reality were priceless gifts.

At that time my son’s prognosis was very good – a 96% chance of survival. Ten years prior to that, the survival rate was at 10% for his type of cancer. A far cry from the good news I’d been given! The education I received throughout those months created a new awareness of just how much research and development means to those in the future. Crucial donation dollars build many aspects of the process and the effects on the quality of a person’s life.

Suffice it to say my outlook has been forever altered and my compassion for others is pretty apparent. Taking on this role with Donate A Car Canada has provided an opportunity for me to see firsthand how lives are changed and impacted through the donations of others. Moreover, it allows others to give in a way that we wouldn’t always consider!

Four wheeled donations

Within each one of us is an innate desire to help others and to make a difference somehow. In an environment where ‘giving back’ seems to be the buzz word, many people are left wondering how they can do that while trying to make ends meet themselves. As we endeavour to look after our environment, change our habits and find a way to give back, Donate A Car offers a great alternative for several reasons.

1. Donating your vehicle does not require a cash outlay. Furthermore, it generates a charitable tax receipt.
2. Donating through our program affords you the opportunity to give to the charity of your choice. To that end, if you don’t see the charity you are passionate about listed, provide their information in the notes. From there we will pursue getting your charity registered with us.
3. All charities listed are registered and are in good standing with the Government of Canada.
4. We secure environmentally friendly services when recycling a vehicle is required.
5. Free towing service is available in most locations across the country. Moreover, we’ll do our utmost to find service on your behalf where it doesn’t already exist.
6. Last, but certainly not least, charities do not pay any fees whatsoever to participate in our program.

One of my most rewarding activities at Donate A Car is generating and sending cheques at the end of each month to our charities, knowing that we too are making a difference in people’s lives both nationally and internationally. It’s a pretty cool feeling.

You may never fully know the impact you are having on others through your donations but believe me when I say, we who are on the receiving end of your generosity are truly grateful!

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