Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death for children and adolescents
Ages 1-19 and the 2nd most common cause of death among children ages 1 to 14.
1 in 266 children
And adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.1
10,500 new cancer cases²
In children (ages <15 years) and 5,090 new cases in adolescents (ages 15-19 years) are expected to be diagnosed in 2021.
1DevCan: Probability of Developing or Dying of Cancer Software, Version 6.7.8. Surveillance Research Program, Statistical Methodology and Applications, Nation Cancer Institute, 2020.
2These numbers do not include benign and borderline malignant brain tumors because they were not required to be reported to cancer registries until 2004. To make statistical estimates like these requires 15 years of historical data.
GOLD TOGETHER DOLLARS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Research
The American Cancer Society funds scientists who conduct innovative research on childhood cancer, so treatment and prevention breakthroughs are often due in large part to our efforts. As of March 1, 2021, 46 active multi-year grants for a total of $27 million are currently being funded specific to childhood cancer.
- In partnership with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, childhood cancer research funding grants totaling $4.4 million will commence in July 2021 and could positively impact mortality and quality of life.
- We continue to advance our understanding of the issues affecting quality of life in cancer survivors and factors associated with improved survival following a cancer diagnosis.
- We take action to help make cancer care and treatments more affordable by analyzing the economic burden associated with them.
Education
As a definitive and highly trusted source of the latest, evidence-based cancer information, we give families the facts and information they need to fight cancer.
- Our annual Cancer Facts & Figures reports are the most widely cited sources for cancer data in the world.
- Our National Cancer Information Center specialists are available via phone, live and video chat 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- We work to advance health equity by providing specific tools and resources based on individual needs to allow everyone everywhere the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Advocacy
Through the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN), advocates work with national, state, and local governments to push for policy changes that help cancer patients and their families.
- We ensure that funding the cancer fight remains a top priority. In 2020, ACS CAN was instrumental in securing $1.25 billion in medical research at the National Institutes of Health and nearly $1.4 billion in state and local appropriations.
- We work to increase access to care by advocating for key patient protections in the Affordable Care Act and to expand Medicaid to cover more low-income individuals.
- ACS CAN advocates for legislation and regulations that make information more accessible for healthy choices, ensure healthy schools for our youth, and build healthy communities for all.
Services
We help families find answers and resources through 24/7 access to comprehensive cancer information.
- We provide information and answers when families need them through our 24/7 helpline 800-227-2345 and our cancer.org website.
- We build communities of support virtually or in person, by connecting compassionate volunteers to families facing childhood cancer to amplify awareness, provide support and raise funds to end childhood cancer.
- We provide much-needed support and resources for cancer caregivers through our Caregiver Resource Guide and Caregiver Support Video Series.
Help save lives by making a donation. Every dollar directly supports the American the American Cancer Society’s fight against childhood cancer through research, education, advocacy, services and cancer prevention efforts targeting children to help them reduce their risk for cancer later in life.
Cole Eicher’s Vision
The Gold Together movement was created by childhood brain cancer survivor Cole Eicher, whose dream was to have a Gold Together team at every Relay For Life event, starting with his event in St. Petersburg, Florida. His vision is to raise childhood cancer awareness, support families facing childhood cancer, and connect those families to a lifetime of resources through the American Cancer Society.
$2.25M
Since 2019
173
Relay For Life teams
286
Gold Together Champions
2,100
Volunteers
Get involved with the movement
The fight against childhood cancer needs you now more than ever.
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. But we can’t do it alone. There are now more ways than ever to connect, support, and fundraise to help save lives from childhood cancer.
For more information and additional volunteer opportunities contact goldtogether@cancer.org
Suits And Sneakers
Every dollar raised for Gold Together is dedicated to support families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis. You can participate by joining a Relay For Life team in your community, raising funds as a Gold Together Champion, participating in a Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers game to name a few.
Connect
Connect with and support childhood cancer survivors and their families through becoming a Gold Together Youth Ambassador, a Gold Together Youth Hero or a compassionate contributor to the Love Notes Around The World program.
Partner
Gold Together Partners are proud supporters making a long term impact in the fight against childhood cancer through sponsorship as well as leveraging opportunities for cause marketing and employee engagement with the American Cancer Society.