September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s an opportunity to spread awareness, raise money for research and care, and support a critical cause: providing every child with the opportunity to grow up and experience a happy and healthy life.
Every day in the UK, 10 children and young people learn the devastating news that they have cancer. Beyond the diagnosis, children and their families experience tremendous challenges, from navigating treatments and clinic visits to coping with the daily reality of juggling work, life, and care. It’s not easy. During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we can remind these children and their families that they are not alone.
In this post, we highlight a few simple ways you can make a difference during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, regardless of your resources or availability. Please read on and get out there this month in support of a very important cause.
Rock the Gold Ribbon and Proudly Participate in Awareness Campaigns
Let’s start with a seemingly small yet highly effective initiative: a gold ribbon. The gold ribbon is the visible symbol of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Whether you wear it or share it on social media, the gold ribbon represents your support of children dealing with all forms of cancer. We see the gold ribbon everywhere—on badges, clothing, even dog collars—and you can join the movement simply by purchasing your own favourite gold ribbon merchandise from charitable sources.
Take the gold ribbon to the next level by participating in an awareness campaign, like the Hair-Raiser Challenge from Young Lives Vs Cancer in which you shave, cut, dye, or style your hair on any date in September. And remember, you have a voice! If you purchase a gold ribbon or participate in an awareness campaign this month, don’t keep it to yourself. Be proud and spread awareness on your social media accounts. Mention it to your coworkers and friends. You might just encourage others to join you in the fight during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Challenge Yourself and Make a Collective Difference for Children
Looking for a more physical challenge? You can put your strength and stamina to the test with a number of activities, like committing to walk 80 miles in September, representing the average distance of 80 miles that a young cancer patient has to travel from home to a specialist treatment centre.
Or you can commit to doing 100 step-ups a day throughout September to support childhood cancer research. Many of these physical activities can be done at your own pace, from anywhere. With most, you’ll set up a fundraising or donation page online to gather contributions from friends and family. And most charities will provide you with absolutely everything you need to set up your donation page, including a fundraising pack. Often, you’ll also get special rewards for your participation, like gold ribbon merchandise or even free shoelaces.
Remember, it’s the collective contributions we make during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month that matters. When the money you raise is combined with the efforts of others, it can add up to significant funds that make a real and lasting difference in the lives of young people, from advances in research to helping children and families cope with the realities of a devastating diagnosis.
Be Selfless: Volunteer Your Time
If you enjoy connecting with others, you can explore opportunities to volunteer with local or national childhood cancer charities this month or all year long. Today, volunteer opportunities come in all shapes and sizes, and you can find something that aligns with your interests, availability, or even your professional skills. For example, you can offer administrative support to a charity, or you can provide emotional support to affected families. Many charities need volunteers to help at in-person events, such as providing support along a race route. If you like to cheer people on, that might be a great fit for you!
For example, The Teenage Cancer Trust states that “volunteering is at the heart of our charity”; in fact, the organisation was set up by volunteers and volunteers continue to form its Board of Trustees. You can sell raffle tickets at an Ayr Ladies Lunch, you can collect donations at garden centres, or you can conduct research to identify potential regional fundraising prospects for the charity. There is truly something for everyone.
When you volunteer, you make a selfless decision to spend your time on something that matters. You don’t need to overexert yourself. Find a volunteer opportunity that works with your availability, whether it’s one hour a month or twenty hours a month.
Shop for the Cause
Another simple but effective way to support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is with informed and meaningful purchases. In general, most leading charities offer online shops where you can purchase a range of unique goods. During September, we encourage you to choose gifts and products that contribute to the cause of childhood cancer awareness. For example, in the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) shop, you can peruse a special collection of products for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, from classic badges to tote bags to dog collars. The proceeds of these purchases go toward critical research and support services.
Keep your eye out: many businesses partner with charities and donate a portion of their sales to the cause. For example, CCLG offers corporate partnerships, with current partners that include travel retailer World Duty Free and the Little Sock Company. In September, strive to support the businesses that support childhood cancer awareness!
We look forward to supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we hope to connect with you through the various activities and campaigns this month. How else will you contribute? Whether you spread awareness on social media, volunteer your time and talents, or make informed and meaningful purchases, it’s easy to make a difference. Please get in touch with us anytime!