"They All Matter" Let's Find a Cure Blog Hop

Her Craft Krea8tions Thanksgiving Hop CLICK 

 
Welcome to The Cancer Awareness Blog Hop. A bunch of incredible ladies have come together to bring awareness of different types of cancers. Each person has chosen a cancer that has special meaning to them to and that they would like to bring about awareness. Some crafters are presenting projects along with their information while others are just presenting the information but either way it is important  and informative so please take the time to hop all the way through.

I would like to discuss CHILDHOOD cancer because I have known so many children in my lifetime who have either fought and survived or fought and lost to one type or another of this cancer.

I would first like to state some facts and information about childhood cancer:

1. What are the most common types of childhood cancer? Among the 12 major types of childhood cancers, leukemias (blood cell cancers) and cancers of the brain and central nervous system account for more than half of the new cases. About one-third of childhood cancers are leukemias. The most common type of leukemia in children is acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The most common solid tumors are brain tumors (e.g., gliomas and medulloblastomas), with other solid tumors (e.g., neuroblastomas, Wilms tumors, and sarcomas such as rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma) being less common. 
2. How many children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States annually? In the United States in 2007, approximately 10,400 children under age 15 were diagnosed with cancer and about 1,545 children will die from the disease (1). Although this makes cancer the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children 1 to 14 years of age, cancer is still relatively rare in this age group. On average, 1 to 2 children develop the disease each year for every 10,000 children in the United States (2). 
3. How have childhood cancer incidence and survival rates changed over the years? Over the past 20 years, there has been some increase in the incidence of children diagnosed with all forms of invasive cancer, from 11.5 cases per 100,000 children in 1975 to 14.8 per 100,000 children in 2004. During this same time, however, death rates declined dramatically and 5-year survival rates increased for most childhood cancers. For example, the 5-year survival rates for all childhood cancers combined increased from 58.1 percent in 1975–77 to 79.6 percent in 1996–2003 (2). This improvement in survival rates is due to significant advances in treatment, resulting in a cure or long-term remission for a substantial proportion of children with cancer.
   
   Cited: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/childhood

Now let me introduce one courageous little boy and the special program he started called 

"Team Keegan Poke Prize Boxes"

Team Keegan’s Story

Team Keegan was created by 11 yr old Keegan Bulk who was diagnosed with an inoperable cancerous brain tumor on Sept. 29, 2010 a day before his 9th birthday. Keegan has gone through a port placement surgery, 6 cycles of Chemo, and 30 radiation treatments to his head and spine. He has been in remission since May 6, 2011.

After receiving 64 Neupogen shots, Keegan wanted to do more for the kids battling cancer, so we created Team Keegan a 501 C 3 Organization.

Team Keegan makes handmade wooden treasure chest called "Team Keegan Poke Prize Boxes". We fill them up with $80 to $100 worth of toys and UPS them to the child’s home in the United States that have cancer; 100% free to these families.

These Poke Prize Boxes are created as an incentive for being brave.  Kids receiving cancer treatment get a lot of pokes and go through a lot of different struggles throughout their whole cancer journey. So after they overcome the poke or struggle, they can pick a toy out of their Team Keegan Prize Box as a reward for being brave!

Keegan has a wish for Christmas and that is to get 2000 likes on his facebook page so please make his Christmas dream come true:   www.facebook.com/teamkeegan

For ways to help Team Keegan bring a little bit of sunshine to other children with childhood cancers, you can visit his facebook page or visit  www.team-keegan.com

Thank you so much for being part of this informative blog hop and please continue on to Lluvia.

Complete Line Up:

Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com
Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/
Christine http://hotberrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Ashley W ~ http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com

Toni Herron - http://toniherron.aussieblogs.com.au/
Jamie L- http://www.jamielindstromdesigns.com
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com
Lluvia~ http://sweetbirdmemories.blogspot.com
Christina - http://cema1cema.blogspot.com
Pam L ~ http://mzlavr2.blogspot.com/
Haidee~http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/