Did you know that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month? It is a month to acknowledge and remember the thousands of kids who fight cancer every day. It is a month to bring awareness to the 43 new kids who will be diagnosed with cancer in this country today. It’s a time to bring attention to the leading cause of death by disease for kids. And it’s a month to remind us how severely underfunded childhood cancer is, at just 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget.
I am so blessed to work for a healthcare and hospital system who cares for these kids, loves on their families and shares their stories. But more work needs to be done for these kids before they are ever diagnosed and before they are ever asked to fight. I just recently learned about an organization that I have already come to love – The American Childhood Cancer Organization. This organization works to shape policy, support research, raise awareness, and provide educational resources and innovative programs to children with cancer, survivors, and their families. And I am proud to share that I have joined forces with the ACCO to bring awareness and raise money for this mission.
In about 16 months, I will take part in something crazy called the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World. Disney partners with charities from all over the country to form teams of runners who fundraise all year long to raise money for these organizations. I am taking on the Dopey Challenge, 48.6 miles over the course of 4 days, including my first ever marathon, to raise $1,500 to go straight to the ACCO. While my distance training doesn’t start for a while, the fundraising starts now. My goal is not just to raise $1,500, hopefully a whole lot more than that, but also to bring awareness to something so close to my heart. I want to share my journey, the highs and the lows, that get me to the Finish of each of those 4 races.
I have a lot more coming in the year ahead but wanted to take this month to share some facts about childhood cancer and the big feat I have ahead. If you feel called to donate, you can HERE. I look forward to sharing the year ahead with you all. Keep an eye out for more to come with Blogs, Vlogs, and Fundraising! Thank you and love to all!
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