OncoInsightBridge

By: OncoInsightBridge

We often find ourselves reflecting on the heartbreaking and heartwarming stories about families and children fighting cancer, feeling deeply moved. Beyond these stories, however, lies an urgent need for action that you can help address through organizing impactful events.

Background Information

Pediatric cancer refers to the cancer that typically occurs in individuals 0-19 years old. Common kinds 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%, which is a notable improvement from 58% in 1970. 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: Currently, less than 8% of the federal cancer research budget is allocated specifically to pediatric cancer. Although this figure has risen from 4%, it is still an insufficient amount. Additionally, research for pediatric cancer, especially sarcomas and brain cancer, lags nearly two decades behind their adult counterparts. Pharmaceutical companies often deem pediatric cancer funding as less important, due to the relatively small patient population.
• Raise Awareness: Awareness is crucial, as failing to recognize early warning signs may lead to a smaller chance of recovery and survival. By raising awareness about early warning signs, you can help ensure that more children receive timely diagnoses and have higher chances of recovery.
• 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 also providing encouragement 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 childhood cancer awareness 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

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 ideassuch as a 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 a pre-sign-up, paid tickets, or if it will be a casual come and go. Decide if you want this to be a recurring event or a one-time occurrence.
3. Set goals: Set an attendees 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 an event on a rainy day. Make sure to choose an adequately sized venue, taking into consideration the number of attendees, and make sure there are essential amenities nearby (such as a restroom). Ensure that it is a visible space and 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 among your community or neighborhood, or a larger public event. The larger your event is, the more team members you’re going to 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:
6. Management: Trains and oversees volunteers
7. Marketing: Handles advertising, public relations, and social media
8. Logistics: Handles set up, equipment, and day-of operations
9. Finance: Manages donations and possible sponsors
10. Event coordination: Organizes detailed schedules
11. Hospitality: Ensures a smooth and positive experience for guests
12. General volunteers: Answer questions and guide guests

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

• 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.
• Partner with organizations and local businesses: Try to secure sponsorships with local organizations and businesses interested in raising awareness about childhood cancer. You can also try obtaining donations through community institutions such as churches.
• Promotion: Place and distributeflyers 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. Consider using Facebook groups and LinkedIn to network with professionals and organizations interested in childhood cancer awareness. Employ relevant hashtags such as #ChildhoodCancerAwareness and #FightChildhoodCancer.
• Plan intricate logistics: Obtain any necessary permits or permissions for your venue. Decide the arrangement of the event and acquire all necessary 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.
• Execution: Arrive early at your event and ensure that everything is in order. Clearly instruct volunteers and make sure the event runs smoothly.

Remember, these steps don’t need to be followed in exact order. Adjust based on your preference! If you are interested in starting a childhood cancer awareness event but lack the resources or outreach to individually host an event, consider hosting one for an existing organization.

I would also like to 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

Additional tips and ideas

• Invite guest speakers to your event to tell their stories in order to connect with the audience emotionally.
• Make sure the event is entertaining for all sorts of people, 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 are not already informed), so they can educate guests accordingly and respond to inquiries.
• Have an introductory speech and closing speech that include basic information on childhood cancer.
• If you need inspiration, attend a childhood cancer awareness event yourself, 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 in order to maintain engagement and build long-term support as well as 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. Our goal at the OncoInsightBridge provide support and guidance to families dealing with pediatric cancer. We are currently accepting donations which will be used for assisting 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, as well as your attendees, donors, and sponsors if you had any. Celebrate your successes, whether big or small. Organizing a successful event isn’t an easy job but the impact you can make is immense and valuable. By sharing stories, raising funds, changing policies, advocating and more, you are contributing 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.

Sources:

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.