05 Sep Show Your Socks For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique challenges faced by children with cancer and their families.

Key Statistics for Childhood Cancer

· 10,000 children under the age of 15 are expected to be diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States.

· After accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14.

· The most common types of childhood cancers include leukemia, brain and spinal cord tumors, neuroblastoma, and Wilms tumor. These cancers differ significantly from the types typically seen in adults.

· Even when children survive cancer, the battle is not over. Many childhood cancer survivors face a lifetime of health challenges, including heart and lung problems and an increased risk of secondary cancers.

A diagnosis of childhood cancer affects more than just the child—it sends ripples through the entire family. Parents often experience overwhelming stress, anxiety, and guilt, struggling to balance their child’s medical needs with the demands of work, other children, and everyday life. Siblings may feel neglected or confused, unsure of how to cope with the changes in their family dynamic. Financial strain is another significant concern, with many families facing substantial medical bills and potential loss of income.

Ways to Support Children and Their Families

Supporting a child with cancer and their family requires empathy, understanding, and practical help. Here are some meaningful ways to support families going through this difficult season:

1. Emotional Support: Simply being there for the family can make a significant difference. Listen, offer words of encouragement, and provide a shoulder to lean on. Remember, you do not have to have all the answers. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is just to show up and listen.

2. Practical Help: Offering to help with everyday tasks such as cooking meals, bringing in the trash bins, and picking siblings up from school, can provide much-needed relief. Organizing meal trains, babysitting, or running errands can give parents more time to focus on their child’s care.

3. Financial Assistance: Many families face financial hardships due to medical expenses and loss of income due to travel or time away from work to care for their child. Donating to organizations that provide financial assistance to families or directly helping with costs like transportation, lodging, or daily expenses can alleviate some of this burden.

4. Donations and Volunteering: Contributing to organizations dedicated to childhood cancer research and patient support can have a lasting impact and recognizing the family you know with the donation. Volunteering your time to support local children’s hospitals or cancer support organizations can also provide invaluable assistance.

Treatment for childhood cancer can last months and years and many times just letting the family know you have not forgotten about them and what they are going through is tremendous encouragement.

Show your Socks!

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio, one of the most common requests we get when supporting children with cancer is a pair of socks to keep their feet warm while they are in the hospital and recovering from surgery and going through chemotherapy.

Ronald McDonald House of San Antonio has teamed up with Soarion Credit Union to sponsor our “Show Your Socks Challenge” to support children with cancer and their families.

Beginning September 1st for every picture posted to social media with the hashtag #ShowYourSocksChallenge or donation made to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of San Antonio, Soarion Credit Union will donate $100 up $5,000.

Step 1 – Grab your favorite pair of socks

Step 2 – Snap a picture of your cozy toes

Step 3 – Share your photo on social media with the hashtag #ShowYourSocksChallenge

Step 4 – Make a gift to Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio to support children receiving medical treatment far away from their homes

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time to honor the courage of young cancer patients and their families. By recognizing the impact of childhood cancer and taking action to support those affected, we can contribute to a future where no child has to face cancer alone. Whether through emotional support, financial help, or raising awareness, every effort counts.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer and bring hope to their families!