Creatively Caring for Kids with Cancer: September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

One of the most difficult diagnoses for kids is the worst “C” word: Cancer. Worldwide, according to St Jude, more than 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer. These young ones struggling and suffering with this life-threatening illness need our support. There are lots of ways to help out. You don’t have to be a wealthy philanthropist to help kids with cancer and make our world a better place!

Get connected with charitable non-profit organizations that are supporting kids with cancer and volunteer. Start local by reaching out to kids with cancer in your community and make a positive difference in their lives.

BUILD BONDS AND SHARE STORIES

Getting to know the kids with cancer as individuals can help reinforce your commitment and build supportive relationships. Share their stories and raise awareness in blogs, social media, podcasts and vlogs. Get creative and make the kids feel special and appreciated with encouraging love letters, poems or song lyrics. Put together a collection of inspiring and motivational life quotes and/or verses to uplift spirits, and consider reading your writing aloud or singing the verses when you visit.

POWER OF PRAYER

It doesn’t cost anything to pray and, though unseen, prayer may offer important benefits. Support the kids with intercessory prayer support. Spirituality is no scoffing matter. Studies have shown that a strong faith may contribute to better health and longevity. Get involved with your church and/or other believers and share your faith. Pray continually and regularly, individually and collectively, and focus on increasing hope for health and healing that’s divinely led.

PASSION FOR PET THERAPY

There’s nothing quite like a canine companion, feline friend or other animal to bring smiles to faces and brighten kids’ days. Studies have revealed the power of pets and their long-term beneficial impact on overall health and longevity. Pet therapy may not be able to cure cancer, but pet and people visitations are sure to bring the kids extra comfort and joy.

FUN FUNDRAISERS

Try raising funds to support kids with cancer. Here are some ideas – you could sponsor a bake sale, musical production, fashion show or 5K walk/run or triathlon. Another idea is to plan a dance party with a DJ, live music and popular kid-friendly mocktails.

HAIR OR HAIRLESS, SET THE STANDARD WITH A STIGMA-LESS STATEMENT

Every three minutes in the US, a devastated family hears the news that their child is diagnosed with cancer. Many of these children undergo intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer that leads to hair loss. For many, losing hair feels like a loss of identity and is often associated with a negative stigma and negative self-image. Help kids with no hair feel better and more beautiful. Consider donating 10 inches of your long hair to Locks of Love, or you could even shave your head and hold a head-shaving event to support cancer research. Though there are other conditions that cause hair-loss, cancer is the second highest percentage among Locks of Love recipients.

SHAREABLE WEARABLES

Promote the cancer cause and wear swag that supports kids with cancer, or you can design, print and wear your own. Proudly support the orgs that support kids with cancer by sporting graphic tees with a positive message, hats, head bands, bandanas, jewelry, bags and lots more. Consider giving them as gifts, also.

GET CREATIVE AND CRAFTY WITH GIFTS OF GOODIES

Put together gift baskets of goodies to donate, and add gift cards and gift certificates. Some gift items might include stuffed animals, comfy socks, lip balm and herbal teas. Another idea is to put together an inspiring Pinterest board of ideas that might include jewelry making, tea blending, origami, decorations, montaging photographs and magazine clippings, healthy DIY beauty products and/or sock monkeys.

Feel good about being a beneficial blessing by supporting kids with cancer and contributing to this charitable cause. There’s nothing quite as rewarding as knowing you’re making a positive difference, enabling others to survive and thrive, and making our world a better place!

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Susan B. B. Schabacker

Forsyth Magazines writer since 2018. Susan Schabacker was blessed to be adopted as a baby and made her journey from South Korea to Massachusetts where she arrived safely into her adoptive mother’s loving arms. She later moved to New Mexico and, after a few years, moved to Winston-Salem, NC, to study classical ballet at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts from the eighth grade through high school. Susan has lived in the Piedmont Triad area for nearly 20 years and had the opportunity to travel to Budapest, Hungary; London, UK; and Beijing, China, where she studied abroad through Elon University. In Stockholm, Sweden, she had a marketing internship at Hachette-Filipacchi, publisher of Elle and other magazines. She graduated with a B.A. in Corporate Communications and a minor in Dance from Elon University. Susan loves writing and is pleased to have written for Winston-Salem Journal’s "Teen Page," Triad Living, KernersvilleMagazine, and of course, Forsyth Mags. She is a co-author of a children’s book, Huckleberry Robin, based on a three-generation true family story. Susan is grateful for her faith, family, and friends and is happy and excited to be part of the Forsyth Mags team. She spreads the word about Forsyth magazines and enjoys reading and sharing them with her family and friends every month.

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