10 ways to help during Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder Awareness Month.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Blood Disorders Awareness Month, a very special time of year when we honor children affected by pediatric cancers and blood disorders. The goal is to raise awareness of these diseases and the need for safer and more effective treatments.
This month and every month, you can make a difference in the lives of children and families who turn to Roswell Park for hope. When you support the Courage of Carly Fund, you’re supporting important family and patient care programs and fueling critically needed pediatric cancer research right here in Western New York.
Here are 10 ways you can help make an impact on the fight against childhood cancers and blood disorders:
- Sign up for Roswell Park Alliance Foundation’s 62 by You October Challenge
- This Facebook fundraising endeavor will challenge you to raise awareness and funds this October (starting your campaign in September) to benefit the Courage of Carly Fund!
- Click here to join the Private Group and get started today!
- Have a #ShineGold Day
- Stand in solidarity with those fighting and be a part of the change in childhood cancer research by hosting a “Shine Gold Day” at your school or workplace.
- Contact Megan Crawford at Megan.Crawford@RoswellPark.org for a “Shine Gold Day” event pack.
- Donate Blood Products at Roswell Park
- Pediatric cancer and blood disorder patients have a consistent need for blood products, and donors are the only ones who can meet that need. Give life, give blood at Roswell Park! Call The Donor Center today at 716-845-8275 or visit them on Facebook.
- Start a fundraiser
- This is your chance to get creative and make an impact with a fundraiser that’s unique to you! No matter what you decide, we’re grateful to you for making a difference in the lives of pediatric cancer and blood disorder patients.
- Contact Mary Russo at Mary.Russo@RoswellPark.org or 716-845-4977 with questions.
- Become an ambassador for childhood cancers and blood disorders
- Spread the word to your network about the prevalence of childhood cancer and the lack of federal funding. For example, did you know of the billions of dollars that go to cancer research only 4% goes to childhood cancer?
- Click here to learn more information and share it with your friends and family.
- Workplace giving
- Employees are often looking for opportunities to make a difference in their community. Whether it is a dress down day or a company match on employee donations, your workplace community can make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer and blood disorders.
- Host a gift card drive for Courage of Carly Fund families affected by diagnoses
- We have limited space in the pediatric clinic to store all the wonderful gifts we have for our kids. We kindly recommend holding a gift card drive, instead of a traditional toy drive. Gift cards allow us to maximize your gift to our patients because they provide our staff with the flexibility to make “on-demand” toy purchases or allow patients to have some freedom in their decision making during a time when most decisions are out of their control.
- Our most popular gift card requests include gas and grocery stores, Target, Walmart, Tim Hortons, gaming system credits and Amazon.
- Donate
- When you donate to the Courage of Carly Fund, you’re fueling lifesaving research and life-changing programs for pediatric patients and their families. Not only are you looking to the future of pediatric cancer and blood disorder treatment, you’re caring for these children now, in the middle of their fight.
- Talk to your favorite stores and businesses
- If this mission is close to your heart, there’s a good chance it’s important to other people and groups in your life. Talk to the people behind your favorite stores and businesses to see if they’re involved with Courage of Carly and Roswell Park. If they’re not, see if they might want to join you in supporting pediatric cancer and blood disorder patients.
- Show up for friends and family who are impacted
- Sometimes the best way to help a family affected by childhood cancer is just showing up when times get tough. Offer to help with transportation, watching siblings, being a shoulder to cry on, send an occasional thinking of you message. It is helping in these ways that sometimes have the most meaningful impact.
However you decide to join in the fight this month, we’re grateful to have you! Thanks for all you’re doing to support Roswell Park’s youngest patients.
