3 key takeaways during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Every day, a child’s life is forever changed by a cancer diagnosis. In that moment, families need answers and options. And yet, childhood cancer research remains underfunded and underprioritized. Enough Already.  

Kids with cancer deserve safer treatments, less harmful side effects and a community of support so no family has to experience childhood cancer alone.  

Here are three key takeaways to carry with you this month — and why your voice, your action and your generosity make all the difference. 

Childhood cancer isn’t as rare — or as understood — as you might think.

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in kids in the U.S. Unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers aren’t the result of behavioral or environmental factors like smoking or sun exposure. Most cases are caused by random DNA mutations, sometimes even before birth. And because it’s still not fully understood why childhood cancer happens, prevention isn’t yet possible. 

That’s why research matters. It’s the key to unlocking better treatments for the 12 major types and over 100 subtypes of childhood cancer. Research into safer therapies takes time, collaboration and funding.  

Research is saving lives — but it needs our support to keep going.

Thanks to decades of research, survival rates have improved. But today, 1 in 5 kids diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. still won’t survive. And for those who do, the treatment they receive will leave lifelong physical and emotional scars. 

At Children’s Cancer Research Fund, we’ve invested in researchers across 45 institutions nationwide who are tackling the hardest questions — from cancers with the lowest survival rates to long-term side effects, chronic conditions and health disparities. Because every child, no matter where they live or what cancer they face, deserves access to hope. 

Your support isn’t extra — it’s essential.

More than half of all childhood cancer research in the U.S. is funded by private donors. And with recent cuts to federal funding, your generosity is more critical than ever. Progress doesn’t just happen in labs — it happens when people like you choose to care. 

Whether you donate, fundraise or share this message, you're helping create a future where kids with cancer not only survive — they thrive.