One in 320 children will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20. Childhood cancer is the number one leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the United States yet it only receives 4% of government funding for cancer research.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and there will many opportunities in the Over the Mountain area to change those statistics by raising awareness of childhood cancer and in turn, helping to find a cure.
But for many families, the journey doesn’t end on October 1. Organizations and individuals in the community are working year-round to serve families as they deal with life during and after childhood cancer.
For more on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, visit www.childrenscancer.org.
Sept. 1-2
BIRMINGHAM
2015 Committed to a Cure Marrow Registry Drive
Russell Building Lobby, Children’s of Alabama
From noon-5 p.m. on Sept 1. and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sept. 2, community members can register to be members of the bone marrow registry. The registry is used to determine potential marrow transplant matches. Marrow transplants are used as lifesaving treatment for deadly cancers and blood disorders. Complimentary parking is available in the Children’s 5th Avenue Parking Deck (1600 5th Ave. S.) At Children’s of Alabama, 25–30 young patients require this lifesaving procedure every year.
Thurs., Sept. 10
BIRMINGHAM
The Fall Fizz and Fare Festival
The Clubhouse on Highland
From 7-10 p.m., attendees can enjoy wine tastings, local craft beers and food prepared by Birmingham chefs alongside music and an auction. Proceeds will benefit Hope for Autumn Foundation. Tickets are $100 per individual or $150 for a couple. For more information, visit www.hopeforautumnfoundation.org.
Fri, Sept. 18
BIRMINGHAM
Parent’s Night Out with ATeam
Alabama Theatre
Parent’s Night Out from 5:30-9:30 p.m. will include a reservation for dinner at a popular Birmingham restaurant followed by a night of laughs with Jeannie Roberston at the historic Alabama Theatre. This event is open to three couples. They must be parents to childhood cancer survivors or children who have lost their battle with pediatric cancer. For more information, visit www.ateamministries.org.
Sat., Sept. 19
HOOVER
Sebastian’s Annual Run/Walk
Veteran’s Park
This annual advocacy and fundraising event honors Sebestain Lemos, who lost his fight to a pediatric brain tumor in 2008 at the age of seven. This year’s theme is “Camo for a Cure” and there will be a prize for best dressed. A DJ will also be onsite as well as a photobooth. For more information or to register, visit www.sebastiansrunwalk.org.
Sat., Sept. 26
HOOVER
Give Kids the World 5K
Hyatt-Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
The first annual GIve Kids the World 5K will benefit GKTW, a facility located in Orlando, Florida specifically built for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to enjoy a memorable and cost-free visit to Disney World and all the surrounding attractions. The race is $25. For more information, visit www.runsignup/Race/AL/Birmingham/GiveKidstheWorld5k
Sun., Sept. 27
BIRMINGHAM
Tapping Out Childhood Cancer Gala
Alabama Theatre
This seventh annual gala was inspired by Alex Swader, 15 years old, of Mt. Olive. Swader is an award-winning dancer who organized this event in 2007 after being diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. Tickets are $25 for the show and $40 for the show and VIP after party, to be held at Gabrella Manor (8912 4th Ave. S.) immediately following the performance.
September
BIRMINGHAM
Children’s of Alabama Goes Gold
Children’s of Alabama
Children’s Russell Building will be illuminated in gold in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month throughout September.
Other ways to help:
- The newly redesigned Curing Childhood Cancer license tag is available at every office of the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles. Every $50 tag generates $41.25 for the cancer program at Children’s if Alabama. To date, tag sales have raised more than $2.6 million for childhood cancer research and patient care.
- ATeam Ministries are hosting their Go Gold! Campaign throughout the month. Businesses can Go Gold! for a day by enoucraging their employees to purchase and wear ATeam’s #Bold4Gold shirts. High schools can paint the gold ribbon on their football fields to recognize families in their area dealing with childhood cancer. Cities can proclaim a “Go Gold Day!” to raise awareness for the cause within their town.
- When you purchase a Hyundai in September, money is donated to their Hope on Wheels Foundation. Since 1998, Hyandai owners have helped the foundation raise over 72 million dollars for cancer research.
