1. Childhood Cancer Awareness

2. 1 in 5 children who are diagnosed with cancer will die of the disease
35 children die from cancer in Canada each year
There are over 40 different types of childhood cancer and most of the time, there is no known cause
Most common – leukemia 30%, brain & central nervous system tumours 26%, neuroblastoma 6%, wilms tumor 5%, hodgkin lymphoma 3%, non-hodgkin lymphoma 5%, bone cancer 3%, rhabdomyosarcoma 3%, retinoblastoma 2%
Many of the different types also have subtypes

3. 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer in Canada each year per Childhood Cancer Canada
72 children were diagnosed with cancer at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in 2016 – 3 from Cornwall
At least 1 child in Cornwall has been diagnosed this year with cancer at CHEO
Almost 4 children are diagnosed with cancer each day in Canada, and more than 1 child per week at CHEO

4. There are nearly 4,000 children in Ontario receiving cancer treatment or follow up care at any given time
Currently there are approximately 15 children from Cornwall who are either in treatment for cancer or receiving follow up care
On average, more than 80% of children survive but it varies dramatically by type

5. Treatments include chemotherapy (pills, intravenous, lumbar punctures, needles), steroids, radiation, surgery, transplants
Testing includes blood work, lumbar punctures, bone marrow aspirates, x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, bone density scans, ultrasounds, eco-cardiograms, neuropsychology testing, biopsies, etc.

6. About 60% of survivors will experience late effects
Facts and statistics are informative but now I would like to bring this home to everyone and introduce the stories of four children from Cornwall

7. Non-Profit Organizations
Ronald McDonald House
Candlelighters
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO)
Make A Wish & Children’s Wish Foundation
Rachel’s Kids
Families with a child in treatment for cancer lose 1/3 of their after-tax income to out-of-pocket costs. Luckily there are a number of non-profit organizations there to help.
Ronald McDonald House – provides a home away from home while children (who live greater than 80 km away from CHEO) are receiving treatment in hospital or as an outpatient but need to be close to CHEO. Not just cancer children but all children receiving treatment at CHEO.
Candlelighters – provide CHEO parking passes, electronic equipment through their Cyberkids program, financial assistance, a box at the Canadian Tire Centre for events (compliments of a cancer family’s annual fundraising efforts), children’s parties, sibling events, educational opportunities, coffee support nights, courage beads, etc
POGO – provides financial assistance for lodging , meals, etc.
MAW/CWF – grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy – funds for MAW is through annual Smile Cookie sales at our local Tim Horton locations
CCS - helps with transportation or transportation costs for the numerous trips back and forth at CHEO
Rachels Kids – through their Small Moments of Joy program for local children battling life threatening or chronic illness a wish with the goal of allowing them to forget their illness for a moment or two and focus on a moment of joy

8. What’s Happening in September
September 5 – Mayor, Media, Childhood Cancer Awareness Annual Blood Donor Clinic
September 17 – Terry Fox Run
Late September – OneMoment Clinic at
St. Lawrence College by the Nursing and Paramedic students – Stem Cell Registry
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and while my ultimate dream is for cancer to only exist in the history books, I would love for our community to show its support to our children who are dealing with cancer and their families. There are a number of things taking place during the month.

9. Ways to help a cancer child and their family
Mow their lawn, shovel their driveway
Provide meals and/or grocery items
Have a garage sale to raise money for the family
Offer to babysit the other children
Plant flowers in their yard
Offer to take care of any pets
Send them cards so that they know someone is thinking of them
Put up or take down seasonal decorations
Offer to make phone calls to their friends and family with important updates
Offer to drive siblings to their activities
People often say to let them know if there is anything that they can do to help. Parents are often too overwhelmed to think of what it is that they need or they are too shy/embarrassed/proud to ask.
Instead, say what you are willing to do. That will provide relief and take one more thing off of their plate that they did
not even realize was there.
Do not avoid them. Cancer is not catchy, but being isolated can be very lonely.

10. I would like to encourage all city departments, businesses, and residents to “paint” Cornwall gold in September to visually show these children and their families our support and to bring awareness to childhood cancer.
Some day I would love for cancer to exist only in the history books but for now I would love to paint the city gold to raise awareness, raise some research dollars and show support of our children who are battling cancer and their families.

12. Suggestions how to Paint Cornwall Gold
Use gold ribbon to decorate lamp posts or verandas
String gold Christmas lights
Change front porch light to a yellow bulb
Make a gold wreath with ribbon for your front door
Tie a gold ribbon to your vehicle antenna