It's that time of year when many people are helping to raise awareness and money for cancer research, support and prevention. I know these organizations do a LOT of good and have certainly helped to save many lives. I have several family members and dear friends who have fought this awful disease. I also worked at Montana Cancer Center (before Annabelle was born) and saw exactly how cancer tears lives apart. However, as you can imagine, my heart lies in Childhood Cancer research.
Here are a few graphics to show just how much money some of these large organizations put toward childhood cancer.
American Cancer Society 1%
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 2%Did you know that the #1 diagnosed childhood cancer is LEUKEMIA!
Now, please don't take this the wrong way. I think that anything that anybody is doing to help fight this awful disease is well worthwhile. But for me personally, my efforts will go to Childhood Cancer, and specifically to CureSearch. Never heard of CureSearch? That's because they don't waste money on advertisements and publicity. CureSearch is the foundation part of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) which is the organization that conducts National Cancer Institute sponsored clinical trials. Something I didn't know until Annabelle was diagnosed is that MOST childhood cancer patients are on a study. Not necessarily an experimental type study, but a COG study which tracks their treatment and results and issues standard treatment protocols. Annabelle was on a "study" which is evaluating the addition of a chemo drug, Topotecan, to see if it increases 5-year survival and overall cure rates for patients with Ewing's Sarcoma.
So, why do I love CureSearch?? Over 94% of funds raised goes directly to childhood cancer research. 2012 will be the second year that Salt Lake City has hosted a CureSearch walk and I wish I could attend and be a part of that and have a team in honor of Annabelle, but it can't happen this year. However, my fellow cancer moms from Utah are in full force and they won't stop until they have done everything they can to beat the awful monster that is childhood cancer! I love you moms!
So, the point I'm trying to make is, I won't be using Annabelle's story or sweet face to raise money for some of the more recognized cancer organizations. I will be supporting CureSearch. Check them out at
Like I said, I don't aim to discredit any of these other organizations, just to explain where I stand. If you want to get me riled up, just ask me how I feel about Susan G Komen for the Cure. I'm sure Suzy would be rolling over in her grave if she knew what they were doing! You can read about that here:
1 comment:
Wow- thanks for the info! That seems a little absurd to me. I always have wondered how much of the money actually goes to helping the research.
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