On average, more than 290 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer every week.
Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped improve the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% in the U.S. since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude leads more clinical trials for childhood cancer than any other children's hospital in the U.S.
About 90% of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries where they lack access to adequate diagnosis and treatment. Most of these children will die from their disease.
In high-income nations, such as the U.S., survival rates for pediatric cancers exceed 80%. To bridge this gap, St. Jude created St. Jude Global. This initiative is dedicated to improving quality of care and increasing survival rates worldwide for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Working with partners around the world, we have created a global community that works together to address disparities in access to diagnosis and care around the world.
Worldwide, about 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year. Only half of these children’s diseases are diagnosed.
St. Jude partnered with World Health Organization (WHO) to create the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer which aims to cure at least 60% (6 out of 10) of children with 6 of the most common cancers by 2030. St. Jude, WHO and other international partners have also developed the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines to address the inconsistent availability of quality essential cancer medicines. The platform’s first delivery of vital medicines began in February 2025.
Learn more about the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer >
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Emmanuel
Medulloblastoma
St. Jude patient Emmanuel
We were able to focus entirely on him at St. Jude. And you can’t put a price on that.
— St. Jude patient Emmanuel's dad
Emmanuel was almost 2 years old when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children.
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Kayla
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
St. Jude patient Kayla
Normally you think of cancer as a death sentence because so many people lose their lives to cancer, but to see all the colors on the wall and the smiles on the children’s faces and everything that goes into putting St. Jude together, it was very encouraging.
— St. Jude patient Kayla's mom
Kalya was in the second grade when she was referred to St. Jude and diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic cancer (ALL), a type of blood cancer.
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Madeline
Ewing sarcoma
St. Jude patient Madeline
Madeline as a person is so resilient. She is so strong.
— St. Jude patient Madeline's mom
Madeline was referred to St. Jude, arriving in March 2024, and diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
Donate today to give them tomorrow
At St. Jude, a dollar is more than a donation. It gives hope to make cures and better treatments possible for the 15,000+ children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. each year.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
*When you make a donation using this information, your donation will be used to provide breakthrough research, treatment and cures. 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, travel, housing or food.
Could help St. Jude provide one platelet count test for a St. Jude patient.*
Could help provide one rehabilitation ball for St. Jude patients.*
Could help provide two days of meals to a St. Jude patient.*
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month FAQs
Gold ribbon art by St. Jude cancer survivor Tayde
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National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is in September.
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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM) — 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 2010.
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International Childhood Cancer Day is Feb. 15. This is a separate awareness day from Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
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Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under age 14. Awareness helps fund lifesaving research, supports families and brings hope to kids around the world. By sharing their stories and showing your support, you become part of a movement to make cures possible.
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The color gold and the gold ribbon are symbols of support for children affected with cancer.
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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.
You can also show your support for the kids of St. Jude by shopping for CCAM gold items in our gift shop.
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You can find Childhood Cancer Awareness T-shirts and other items that show your support for the kids of St. Jude by shopping for CCAM gold items in our gift shop.
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September is the awareness month for several kinds of cancer in addition to pediatric cancer. September has been Childhood Cancer Awareness Month since 2010. Other cancer observance months held in September include:
- Sickle Cell Awareness Month
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
- Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
You may be interested in:
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Sickle Cell Awareness Month
In September, St. Jude raises awareness of sickle cell disease research. Join us this Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
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Why support St. Jude?
Learn how supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital helps pediatric cancer patients worldwide.
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St. Jude Global
St. Jude Global is striving to create a network of programs and institutions to treat childhood diseases. Learn more about our newest initiatives.
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Support our kids all year long
Discover how to give to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude without making a monetary donation.