Raising funds, awareness to defeat childhood cancer

Cancer is horrible any way you slice it. To see friends and family battle the disease is heart-wrenching. But it's especially tough when you see a child with the affliction.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and recently a story by reporter Samantha Rinehart, the first in a series, explored the challenges of child-focused cancer treatments and how families battle to provide the necessary medical treatment for their child.

Andrea Allstun told the Southeast Missourian that she hopes to see Childhood Cancer Month gain the attention that breast cancer has during October. She's encouraging businesses through Going Gold for Kids, an effort that suggests organizations use the color gold to raise awareness.

Awareness is important, but even more so is the funding for research to end this disease.

Cancer is the leading cause of death, according to the National Cancer Institute, of children under the age of 15 in the U.S.

The recent story highlighted the Glastetters. Their son, Wyatt, was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old. If you missed the story, we encourage you to visit semissourian.com to read more. The family faces real struggles, including the financial strain that comes with medical care. A fundraiser recently was held for them, and you can also support the family through a Gofundme account at gofundme.com/cv3abc.

This area has rallied around cancer research. From Breast Cancer Awareness events to others, many seek to bring awareness and raise needed funds. More than 300 people attended the Cure for Cape Cancer Gala in August to raise about $150,000, according to Kelli Schenimann at the American Cancer Society.

This is one of the many opportunities to support cancer research and help those financially who are receiving treatment. Thank you to all who participate.

To learn more about Going Gold for Kids, visit the facebook page facebook.com/GoingGoldforKids.