Ronan: Raising Awareness

My heart is so burdened this morning. I can't even write about what I'm thankful for because all I'm thankful for right now is my family being alive and healthy. Below is some information/statistics I got from The Ronan Thompson Foundation. Please read and pray about raising awareness and donating to fight this horrible mass murderer called Cancer.

*There are 15 children diagnosed with cancer for every one child diagnosed with pediatric AIDS. Yet, the U.S. invests approximately $595,000 for research per victim of pediatric AIDS and only $20,000 for each victim of childhood cancer.

*The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) federal budget was $4.6 billion. Of that, breast cancer received 12%, prostate cancer received 7%, and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancers combined received less than 3%.

*The American Cancer spends less than 70 cents of each 100 dollars raised on childhood cancer.

*Cancer kills more children than any other disease, more than Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes and Pediatric AIDS combined.

*Sadly, over 2,300 children with cancer die each year.

*Every school day 46 children are diagnosed.

*1 in 330 children will have the disease by age 20.

*Cancers in very young children are highly aggressive and behave unlike malignant diseases at other times in life.

*80% of children have metastasized cancer at the time of their diagnosis. At diagnosis, only 20% of adults with cancer show evidence that the disease has spread or metastasized.

*Detecting childhood cancers at an early stage, when the disease would react more favorably to treatment, is extremely difficult.

*Cancer symptoms in children – fever, swollen glands, anemia, bruises and infection – are often suspected to be, and at the early stages are treated as, other childhood illnesses.

*Even with insurance coverage, a family will have out-of pocket expenses of about $40,000 per year, not including travel.

*Treatment can continue for several years, depending on the type of cancer and the type of therapy given.


As you can see donating to The American Cancer Society does not go towards childhood cancer like it should. Parents should not have to bury their children. We have to raise awareness and get the funding to help these precious children! Please read Maya's Blog Rockstar Ronan. Please help spread the word.

I am so so so so thankful for my sweet angel Ryot. I am so thankful I get to hug her and kiss her sweet cheeks. Don't take one single day for granted!