See how you can make a difference to help kids fighting pediatric cancer by supporting Four Diamonds families in September and year-round.
Each September, families, caregivers, researchers and charities around the world unite in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. A Presidential Proclamation recognizing National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month was first issued by President Barack Obama in September 2012.
Treatment outcomes for children with cancer have made tremendous improvements over the past 50 years, but the reality is one in five children with cancer will still die of their disease within five years.* Four Diamonds is on a mission to change this reality. You can help children and families fighting cancer by raising awareness and taking action For The Kids®.
Four Diamonds child Celia, 11, and her mom Sara
Whether you are looking to spread the word about the importance of cancer research or you want to participate in an event supporting a childhood cancer nonprofit, there are many activities that you can be involved in to join the fight against pediatric cancer.
To help you in sharing the facts about childhood cancer, and the urgent need for support, we’ve collected some of the easiest ways that you can raise awareness through social media and materials.
Jersey Mike’s (Harrisburg, Pa. area)
Kick Cancer to the DIRT (Lancaster, Pa.)
Family-Owned Markets (Lancaster, Pa. area)
H2L Studio (Mechanicsburg, Pa.)
Palmyra Grocery Outlet (Palmyra, Pa.)
Penn State Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology
Sign Gypsies (Harrisburg, Hershey, Pa.)
Gettysburg Rocks (Gettysburg, Pa.)
Klick Lewis (Palmyra, Pa.)
Register for the Virtual THON 5K, powered by PNC
Support, organize or participate in a Four Diamonds Mini-THON®
Our work depends on you. Make a difference by turning your activities into fundraising campaigns to help raise awareness and funds for our cause. Fundraising can be easy. Create a Personal Campaign in just a few steps:
2. Set a goal and customize your campaign page.
3. Spread the word and invite people to donate!
As a childhood cancer charity, Four Diamonds is funded by generous supporters and businesses!
Cells become cancer cells because of damage to DNA. DNA is in every cell and directs all its actions.
In a normal cell, when DNA is damaged the cell either repairs the damage or the cell dies. In cancer cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired, but the cell doesn’t die like it should. Instead, this cell goes on making new cells that the body does not need. These new cells will all have the same damaged DNA as the first cell does.
Cancer can begin when cells grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can spread to other areas of the body.
The types of cancers that develop in children are often different from the types that develop in adults. Childhood cancers are often the result of DNA changes in cells that take place very early in life, sometimes even before birth. Unlike many cancers in adults, childhood cancers are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors.
Cancers in children are different from cancers in adults, and the tolerance to treatments is also different.
Learn more about childhood cancer research at the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research Center.
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