Childhood Cancer Awareness Event
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Childhood Cancer Awareness Event Support

ByThe Sassy Carmen Foundation

When it comes to Childhood Cancer Awareness, we often feel deeply moved when we reflect on the heartbreaking and heartwarming stories about families and children fighting cancer. Beyond these stories, however, lies an urgent need for action that you can significantly address with your potential involvement in organizing impactful events.

Essential Background on Pediatric Cancer

Pediatric cancer refers to cancer that typically occurs in individuals 0-19 years old. Common types of pediatric cancer include brain tumors and leukemia. Treatment often requires the expertise of radiologists, nurses, surgeons, and physicians, alongside the support of caretakers and families. The overall pediatric cancer survival rate is 85%, a notable improvement from 58% in 1970. This progress instills hope and encourages us to continue our efforts. 

Despite these advancements, many children undergoing treatment face side effects that can significantly impact their growth and overall well-being. Long-term effects can lead to developmental delays and increased risk for other health issues.

Why Organize a Childhood Cancer Awareness Event?

While many people recognize the severity of pediatric cancer, there is still much to be accomplished, not only by medical professionals but by parents and caregivers, too. 

Here are some primary reasons for holding a Childhood Cancer Awareness Event:

  • Advocate for enhanced research and funding. Less than 8% of the federal cancer research budget is allocated only to pediatric cancer. Although this figure has risen from 4%, more is needed. Additionally, research for pediatric cancer, especially sarcomas and brain cancer, lags nearly two decades behind its adult counterparts. Pharmaceutical companies often deem pediatric cancer funding less critical due to the relatively small patient population.
  • Increasing awareness is crucial. Early detection significantly improves the chances of recovery. By raising awareness about the early signs of pediatric cancer, we can ensure more children receive timely diagnoses and have better chances of survival.
  • Honor a childhood cancer victim. Events are a meaningful way to honor children in any stage of their cancer journey, whether they are still fighting, have successfully fought, or have passed away. These events celebrate the courage of victims and their families while encouraging and inspiring hope.
  • Build community support. Networking events can foster a sense of community among families affected by pediatric cancer. They unite families and individuals and create a platform for sharing stories and mutual support.

Since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, there is no better time to start planning a childhood cancer awareness event. While planning a successful event may seem intimidating, it can be accomplished with determination and intention. 

Whether you are a parent directly impacted by pediatric cancer, a caretaker who has first-hand experience with families and children battling pediatric cancer, or a concerned and sympathetic individual who wants to make the lives of patients and affected families easier, this is for you.

How to Organize a Successful Childhood Cancer Awareness Event 

Planning your event

  1. Identify your goal. Identify the primary objective of your childhood cancer awareness event. Are you aiming to foster support, advocate for policy change, increase awareness and education, honor fighters and survivors, or focus on another objective?
  2. Decide on the type of event. Consider ideas such as a bake sale, an awareness/education event, a car wash, a crafts sale, a virtual event, a charity walk or run, or some sort of drive. Also, determine if you want your event to require pre-sign-up or paid tickets or if it will be a casual come-and-go. Decide if you want this to be a recurring or one-time event.
  3. Set goals. Set an attendee’s goal and a financial goal.
  4. Plan basic logistics. Select a suitable date and location (make sure to put time and consideration into it). A weekend event might attract more people than a weekday one. An event on a sunny day seems more promising than a rainy one. Make sure to choose an adequately sized venue, considering the number of attendees, and ensure essential amenities are nearby (such as a restroom). Ensure that it is a visible space and that there are enough parking spaces. Possible venues include parks, schools, stadiums, restaurants, conference centers, community centers, shopping plazas, and churches. And if your event is virtual, choose a reliable platform to host it on.
  5. Identify the scale of your event and then build a team. Identify whether you want your event to be a relatively small gathering in your community or neighborhood or a larger public event. The larger your event is, the more team members you will need. You can find volunteers through friends, schools, public notices, and public sign-ups (consider including people with specific talents or education). Once you’ve built your team, you can assign possible roles/teams.

Possible Roles/Teams

  • Management. Trains and oversees volunteers 
  • Marketing. Handles advertising, public relations, and social media
  • Logistics. Handles set up, equipment, and day-of operations
  • Finance Manages donations and possible sponsors
  • Event coordination. Organizes detailed schedules 
  • Hospitality. Ensures a smooth and positive experience for guests 
  • General volunteers. Answer questions and guide guests

Additionally, consider the involvement of local businesses, schools, organizations, and groups. 

Executing Your Event

  1. Create a timeline and budget. Outline deadlines for each task and allocate funds across different categories. Consider using platforms such as Eventbrite and Google Forms to manage registrations.
  2. Partner with organizations and local businesses. Try to secure sponsorships with local organizations and companies interested in raising awareness about childhood cancer. You can also try obtaining donations through community institutions such as churches. 
  3. Promotion. Place and distribute flyers and ask your friends and family to spread the word. Leverage social media by making online posts and asking your friends and family to share these. Create engaging content to help attract people and highlight the goals and purpose of your event. Platforms such as Canva can help create visually appealing designs. Use Facebook groups and LinkedIn to network with professionals and organizations interested in childhood cancer awareness. Employ relevant hashtags such as #ChildhoodCancerAwareness and #FightChildhoodCancer.
  4. Plan intricate logistics. Obtain any necessary permits or permissions for your venue. Decide the arrangement of the event and acquire all the required equipment (such as tables, signs, pens, etc.) For example, a charity walk could include themed T-shirts, while a bake sale might include sweets from a local business. Plan how you will raise money using physical options such as collection boxes and online options.
  5. Execution. Arrive early at your event and ensure everything is in order. Clearly instruct volunteers and make sure the event runs smoothly.

Remember, these steps can be followed in a different order. Adjust based on your preference. If you are interested in starting a childhood cancer awareness event but lack the resources or outreach to host one individually, consider hosting one for an existing organization.

I also emphasize the importance of utilizing online resources. Read through websites and informational blogs to get a clear grasp of the current situation of pediatric cancer (The Sassy Carmen Foundation™ offers much insight on many factual and emotional aspects of pediatric cancer).

Additional tips and ideas

  • Invite guest speakers to your event to tell their stories and connect with the audience emotionally. 
  • Ensure the event entertains everyone, including parents, caregivers, and children.
  • Create and set up interactive booths with possible merchandise (if applicable) or informational displays.
  • Ask guests to fill out a feedback form so that if you host another childhood cancer awareness event in the future, you can know your strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Educate your team members on childhood cancer (if they have not already been informed) so they can educate guests accordingly and respond to inquiries.
  • Have an introductory and closing speech that includes basic information on childhood cancer.
  • If you need inspiration, attend a childhood cancer awareness event, in-person or virtual, to note down ideas.
  • Since gold is the color of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, consider incorporating gold decorations or a gold theme at your event (also, gold ribbons are the symbol of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month).
  • Use a checklist to ensure that everything gets done.
  • Implement necessary safety measures and make sure that first aid kits are available.
  • Have a backup/rescheduling plan in case there’s an emergency (such as an important team member missing or bad weather).

After the Event

Following the event, it is important to follow up with attendees to maintain engagement and build long-term support and relationships. Collect feedback and improvise if needed for the future. Evaluate how well you’ve reached your goals and how well your team executed their roles.

Donate the funds you’ve raised to hospitals or reputable organizations, such as The Sassy Carmen Foundation™. Our goal at The Sassy Carmen Foundation™ is to provide support and guidance to families dealing with pediatric cancer. We are currently accepting donations, which will be used to assist family members battling pediatric cancer, so please consider sending your donations here!

No matter the results, be sure to show appreciation for everyone who volunteered with you and your attendees, donors, and sponsors if you had any. Celebrate your successes, whether big or small. Organizing a successful event is a challenging job, but the impact you can make is immense and valuable. By sharing stories, raising funds, changing policies, advocating, and more, you contribute to a cause that brings hope to families worldwide. Remember that every effort matters, and every step taken to help support childhood cancer awareness is appreciated. 

References

Statistics. The Children’s Cancer Foundation. (2024, April 8). https://childrenscancerfoundation.org/why-we-do-it/statistics/#:~:text=Cancer%20Funding%20is%20lagging%20for%20Pediatric%20Oncology%20Until,is%20still%20a%20desperate%20need%20for%20increased%20funding.%2A

Latha, M. S., Chitralakshmi, K., Ravindran, M., Angeline, P. R., Kannan, L., & Scott, J. X. (2015). Knowledge, attitude, and awareness of childhood cancer among undergraduate medical students in South India. South Asian journal of cancer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418087/#:~:text=Inadequate%20familiarity%20with%20the%20warning%20signs%20and%20symptoms,disease%20burden%20is%20still%20in%20its%20earliest%20stages.

Morrey, M. (2021, July 18). Our most popular fundraising ideas. Children’s Cancer Research Fund. https://childrenscancer.org/our-most-popular-fundraising-ideas/

Key statistics for childhood cancers. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cancer-in-children/key-statistics.html#:~:text=How%20common%20is%20cancer%20in%20children%3F%20About%209%2C620,since%202015%2C%20after%20increasing%20since%20at%20least%201975.

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