Gold ribbon art by St. Jude survivor Tayde
When is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?
In 2012, President Obama proclaimed September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to bring awareness to pediatric cancer, the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14.
Did you know? The color gold and the gold ribbon are symbols of support for children affected with cancer.
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened in 1962. St. Jude creates more clinical trials for childhood cancer than any other children's hospital in the U.S.
Our global initiative with the World Health Organization aims to cure at least 60% of children with six of the most common cancers by 2030. To further advance cures, we share our research worldwide through data-sharing and analysis resources. Every child saved at St. Jude means thousands more are saved in your community and around the world.
St. Jude works to uncover these mutations and increase the chances of early detection and treatment. We are finding out why some cancers run in families and why certain people get more than one cancer.
More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors have significant treatment-related health issues.
About 483,000 childhood cancer survivors live in the U.S. Our groundbreaking survivorship studies provide a greater understanding of the long-term effects of pediatric cancer treatment and help researchers develop novel therapies to minimize those late effects.
Learn more childhood cancer facts.
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St. Jude saved our lives. We’re living testimony to Danny Thomas’ dream.
— St. Jude survivor Lisa, mother of St. Jude survivors Javon and Jakayla
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Leukemia
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer. It most often occurs in children ages 3 to 5 and affects slightly more boys than girls.
- ALL affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes, causing them to build up in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
- It is most common in Hispanic children, followed by those of white and African-American descent.
- St. Jude patients with ALL have a 94% survival rate.
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When they told us that everything will be free, it was like a thorn was taken away. We didn’t expect anything like this. We were so grateful.
— Aspen's father, Mark
Neuroblastoma
Solid tumor
- Neuroblastoma accounts for 50% of all cancers in infants, making it the most common tumor in children younger than one year.
- It can be inherited (passed down in families).
- Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy for patients with less aggressive spread and stem cell transplant for higher-risk patients.
- St. Jude currently has clinical trials (scientific research that involves people) open for patients with neuroblastoma. Learn more about NBL1232.
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St. Jude kept our family together... it's a little piece of heaven on earth.
— Tina's father, Vicente
Medulloblastoma
Brain tumor
- Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood.
- It is a brain tumor of the cerebellum, which controls balance and coordinated movements.
- It's commonly treated with surgery to remove the tumor followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
- St. Jude is currently looking for patients for SJDAWN, a clinical trial for patients whose medulloblastomas have not gotten better with treatment or have come back after treatment.
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He said, 'If it was my kid, we'd go to St. Jude.' We had no idea what we were up against... We just knew that this was the best place.
—Tiffany, Calvin's mom
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Soft tissue cancer
- Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of cancerous tumor that arises in the soft tissue, such as muscles.
- It is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children.
- About two-thirds of rhabdomyosarcoma cases are diagnosed in children younger than age 10.
- St. Jude has the world’s only proton therapy center dedicated solely to the treatment of children. Because it is so precise, proton therapy reduces a child’s risk of having serious side effects and of developing other cancers later in life.
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Around St. Jude, we see every staff member wearing their heart on their sleeve.
— Lachaka, Alana's mom
Hodgkin lymphoma
lymph system cancer
- Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the immune system and causes affected lymph nodes to get larger.
- Children are more likely to develop it if they have a weakened immune system; have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, mono, or HIV; or have a close relative who has been diagnosed.
- Young adults and older adults are diagnosed more often than young children.
- St. Jude patients with Hodgkin lymphoma have a 90-95% survival rate with an early diagnosis and around 90% for patients whose disease has spread.
Every dollar makes a difference*
I'd rather have a million people give me a dollar than one give me a million. That way you've got a million people involved.
St. Jude founder Danny Thomas
*Items listed here are representative of services and supplies that are part of the treatment and care of children at St. Jude. The cost of each item or service is an approximation, and will vary based on actual costs incurred and individual patient needs. Your donation will be used for the general operating needs of St. Jude, where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, lodging, travel or food.
$10
could help provide a new toy for hospital play areas at St. Jude housing facilities.
$22
could help provide rehabilitation weights to help improve patients’ quality of life.
$36
could help provide meals for one day for a St. Jude family in Kay Kafe, the St. Jude cafeteria.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month FAQs
What is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — a time of year we and other organizations honor children and survivors affected by pediatric cancer in order to raise awareness and continue the research and treatment of the disease. Childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14. September was proclaimed National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by President Obama in 2012.
When is Childhood Cancer Awareness Day?
International Childhood Cancer Day is Feb. 15. This is a separate awareness day from Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
What are the different cancer awareness months?
There are 27 different cancer awareness months spread across the year.
What is the color ribbon for childhood cancer?
A gold ribbon is used to represent childhood cancer awareness.
How can I promote cancer awareness?
You can promote childhood cancer awareness by sharing this page with friends, family and colleagues, or #ShowYourGold this September by sharing a picture while wearing gold on any of your social media accounts, like Instagram.
How can I get a Childhood Cancer Awareness Month T-shirt?
As this year’s St. Jude Childhood Cancer Awareness Month campaign ambassadors, Chip and Joanna Gaines — along with their daughter Ella — have designed an exclusive T-shirt in support of St. Jude. 100% of proceeds, no less than $10 of the purchase price of every T-shirt sold, will go to St. Jude. Learn more about this limited offer for the month of September, and Let's Do This Together!
What is September an awareness month for?
September is the awareness month for several kinds of cancer in addition to pediatric cancer. September has been Childhood Cancer Awareness Month since 2012. Other cancer observance months held in September:
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
- Uterine Cancer Awareness Month