Please click on this link to learn the REVOLTING TRUTH about how pathetically & severely underfunded pediatric cancer research really is... Our family regularly supports some of these other cancer research organizations (in addition to strictly pediatric charities such as St. Baldrick's, Camp Ronald McDonald & a couple of others), but it really disturbs me to know that while some of these other major charities routinely use pediatric cancer patients in their campaign ads, in reality, they are donating LESS THAN 1% of their total donations to pediatric cancer. How can that be?
I'm not naive. I've known for a long time how underfunded pediatric cancer research is. That's why we are so passionate about being involved with all the St. Baldrick's, Camp Ronald McDonald Walk for Kids, and Michael Hoefflin Foundation fundraisers in spring, regardless of how good or bad Ryan is doing. We are passionate about it even if it means that every spring we feel a bit overwhelmed and completely compelled to schedule our social life (if we are able to have one that year) around these events. They are so incredibly vital and important to us, because WE KNOW how underfunded pediatric cancer research is, and WE KNOW firsthand the ugly realities associated with pediatric cancer because of our own experiences and the experiences of close friends and family.
The National Cancer Institute is not any better at allocating funds towards pediatric cancer research than some of these charities. The NCI only allots ~4% of it's funding towards all pediatric cancers, in stark contrast to the 96% that it allocates towards adult cancers. Here's a concrete example: federal funding for prostate cancer, which has a 99% five year survival rate, is given nearly FIVE TIMES the amount given to ALL TYPES of childhood cancer.
Yeah, I know that pediatric cancer is a relatively "rare" disease, but every year, approximately 13,500 kids are diagnosed with cancer in the U. S. alone; 35,000 kids in the U. S. are currently in treatment at any given time; and 25% of all kids who are diagnosed with cancer will not survive their illness. One in every 330 children develop cancer before the age of 19, and pediatric cancers are the #1 disease killer of children-- more than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. I hope these "statistics" underscore the importance of pediatric cancer research. The stark reality is that so little is allocated towards "those we treasure most."
dkfajflda
Comments