Childhood Cancer Facts

Did you know that cancer is one of the leading causes of non-accidental death of children worldwide? The loss of a child to cancer is one of the worst tragedies a family can face. It is a devastating reality; in Canada there are approximately 10,000 children living with cancer. The cause for childhood cancer is unknown; unlike some adult cancers that can be linked to lifestyle choices. The most common cancers in children are:

§  Leukemia

§  Brain and other nervous system tumors

§  Lymphomas (lymph node cancers)

§  Bone cancers

§  Soft tissue sarcomas

§  Kidney cancers

§  Eye cancers

§  Adrenal gland cancer

Leukemia is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in children, encompassing approximately 30 per cent of total new diagnoses each year. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is currently the most common form and comprises about 75 per cent of leukemia cases in children.

Approximately 1,500 Canadian children are diagnosed with cancer each year and about 210 Canadian children will die from the disease. However, since the 1950’s mortality rates for the disease have declined by more than 50 per cent. Today, about 80 per cent of Canadian children with cancer will survive. Childhood cancers have nearly a 75 per cent cure rate; leukemia leading the success charge with close to 90 per cent overall cure rate in children.

More than 70 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer become long-term survivors and a majority of them will be considered cured. However, long-term effects of surviving childhood cancer treatments will continue affect their futures. Late effects in childhood cancer survivors may affect the following:

§  Organs, tissues, and body function.

§  Growth and development.

§  Mood, feelings, and actions.

§  Thinking, learning, and memory.

§  Social and physiological adjustment.

To continue learning about childhood cancers you can visit:

• http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/childhood
• http://www.kidscancercare.ab.ca/facts_about_childhood_cancer.htm 

Small Hearts Making a Big Difference

In February, Kids Cancer Care had the opportunity to visit the small town of Sundre to help a group of Brownies host their first Shave Your Lid for a Kid event. They were so excited, as well as nervous to see their leader “Pink Owl,” shave her head. The group set a modest goal with the intention of raising money to send kids affected by cancer to Camp Kindle. Their efforts began to snow ball, with the whole community of Sundre joining in. Here is their story, told by Pink Owl herself….

Isn't it strange that the reaction you get when you tell people you are shaving your head for cancer is that you are brave? Or perhaps crazy? I'm just a normal person: Mom of five, secretary for the school Parent Council, and "Pink Owl" of eight girl Brownies.

I was looking for a service project for my Brownies, when I heard a commercial for the Kids Cancer Care's "Shave your Lid for a Kid" program. I thought it would be a neat way for my Brownie group to see how simple it was to make a positive difference in the world, as well as to undertake a project to honour our special Guiding Holiday, “Thinking Day.”

Boy, did I get more than I bargained for! We are a small Brownie unit--5 girls, 3 leaders-- that had just started up in October. We live in Sundre, a town of 2,700. When we introduced the idea to the girls, they thought we were INSANE!! To them, raising $100 was a huge concept. We set our goal at $2,200; $200 for each member of our multi-unit.

We brainstormed ideas for how to raise money. The girls decided to do chores for change, as well as a new concept simply called "bottle bombing". I put my long pink hair on the chopping block on behalf of the unit, as well as our special Brownie Doll, Brooke's. For the next 4 weeks, Guiding families and members of the Sundre community took turns adding to the gigantic mountain of bottles in my yard! It became a game; to see if they could add to the pile without getting caught. I think my neighbors decided that we were hoarders around that point.

Meanwhile, my fellow Guider “Snowy Owl” had wrangled the local logging truck drivers from West Fraser Sundre into a competition of sorts; to see which logging crew could raise the most money for us. Their bosses stepped in to match what they raised, and we ended up with another shavee; Mr. Bradley Stair. And with that….our donations went up and up.

When all was said and done, we managed to smash our goal with a grand total of $10,821.00!!! This is almost enough to send a child to Camp Kindle for each member of our group. Needless to say, the girls were BLOWN away! It has been so incredible to see our small community step up to support this amazing cause. To have been able to show my girls that it was as simple as shaving my head to make such a positive difference in the lives of our most deserving, has been priceless.

I'm not brave and I don't think I am crazy either. The children and families who wrestle with cancer are the brave ones. I'm just happy to have been able to help make their journeys a little bit brighter-- and I wear my new hairdo with pride--! To all those who have supported us; thank you for showing our girls that you don't have to be big to make a big difference in the world. 

Jenna Grant aka Pink Owl