{"id":30484,"date":"2023-08-14T10:28:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-14T10:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cells4life.com\/?p=30484"},"modified":"2025-12-09T14:49:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T14:49:10","slug":"childhood-cancer-awareness-month-september-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cells4life.com\/us\/2023\/08\/childhood-cancer-awareness-month-september-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Childhood Cancer Awareness Month September 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro box” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”|300|||||||” text_font_size=”18px” background_color=”#009fc4″ background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. To raise awareness, we’ve shared 10 facts that you need to know about childhood cancer. We discuss how umbilical cord blood can help to treat childhood cancers and share the story of 4-year-old, Josh Stockill, who has beaten leukemia twice thanks to a cord blood transplant. Read on to find out more\u2026<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”When is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

When is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?
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September is officially designated Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with the aim of bringing awareness of childhood cancer, which continues to be the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”10 Facts ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#00a1c5″ custom_padding=”5px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

10 Facts You Should Know About Childhood Cancer<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(232,232,232,0.41)” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 1 ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_enable_color=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

1) Childhood cancer is rare.
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Around 9,600 new cases are diagnosed each year in the USA in children aged 0-14 years. Globally there are more than 300,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_enable_color=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

2) Childhood cancer is not one disease, but several.
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There are more than 12 major types of childhood cancers and over 100 subtypes. Some of these major cancer types include leukemia<\/a>, neuroblastoma<\/a>, and lymphoma<\/a>. The causes of most types of childhood cancer are not known, but researchers are beginning to understand some of the genetic mutations that might cause certain types of childhood cancer and are using that information to search for treatments and cures.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eeeeeee” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

3) The most common childhood cancer is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells. The cancer progresses quickly and aggressively and often requires immediate treatment. However, thanks to\u00a0 research, about 90% of children with the most common form of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia will survive.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

4) Different types of childhood cancer are more common at different ages.
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Some forms of cancers such as neuroblastoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are most common in children under 5 years old. Whereas other cancers, such as bone tumors, are rare in young children, but become more common with age and peaking in adolescence.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

5) Childhood cancer rates have increased by 15% in recent years.
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Since the early 1990s, there has been a 15% increase in children’s cancer incidence rates. However, it is thought this may be due to improvements in diagnosis and registration.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 6″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

6) Thanks to <\/strong>research, <\/strong>childhood cancer <\/strong>survival rates are improving.
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The last few decades have seen dramatic improvements in the outlook for children diagnosed with cancer. Fifty years ago, three-quarters of children diagnosed with cancer would not survive. Today, more than three-quarters of children with cancer survive.<\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 7″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

7) Childhood cancer treatment is no longer just chemotherapy and radiation.<\/strong>
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Over the years, cancer treatments have changed dramatically and are becoming more targeted. Treatments such as stem cell transplants<\/a> have emerged and are frequently used in the treatment of certain blood cancers and disorders.<\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 8″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

8) Clinical trials and data brings us closer to finding more treatment opportunities for childhood cancer.<\/strong>
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According to ClinicalTrials.gov<\/a>, there are 133 registered clinical trials investigating the use of stem cells in the treatment of childhood leukemia and 131 clinical trials for lymphoma. Researchers continue to search for safer, effective treatments to tackle childhood cancer.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 9″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

9) Families often have to travel for cancer treatment.<\/strong>
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While childhood cancer care is available across the United States, access isn\u2019t evenly distributed. Many families still have to travel long distances to reach hospitals with pediatric oncology specialists or comprehensive cancer centres. These centres may offer advanced treatments, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary support that children and young people with cancer often need.<\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Fact 10″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

10) Cord blood stem cells are routinely used in the treatment of children with cancer.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Since the early 1990s, stem cell transplants using umbilical cord blood have been used to treat and even cure both children and adults with leukemia. More than 35,000 cord blood transplants have been performed worldwide, with the majority being for leukaemia and other blood disorders.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”how can UCBSCs help childhood cancer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

How can umbilical cord blood help to treat childhood cancers?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells for transplantation. Umbilical cord blood stem cells contain hematopoeitic stem cells (HSCs)<\/a> which have the unique ability to transform into any type of blood cell. For this reason, they are frequently used in stem cell treatments for various blood cancers and disorders, including leukemia, neuroblastoma, and lymphoma \u2013 all of which are common cancers of children.<\/p>\n

Currently, the most common treatment for blood cancer is chemotherapy, which is used to destroy the cancer cells in the body. However, this can cause significant damage to the body, making it difficult to continue producing healthy blood cells and increasing vulnerability to infections.<\/p>\n

This is where stem cells for cancer treatments come in. The hematopoeitic stem cells (HSCs) found in umbilical cord blood can then be transplanted to regenerate the production of healthy blood cells. This helps to restore the immune system and promote recovery following intense courses of chemotherapy.<\/p>\n

A study published in 2016 revealed that leukemia patients who were treated with cord blood transplants lived longer than those who received bone marrow transplants. Additionally, the patients treated with cord blood were less likely to relapse than those treated with bone marrow transplants.<\/p>\n

It is important to note that children with leukemia or another form of blood cancer or disorder would normally receive a cord blood transplant from a donor rather than an autologous cord blood transplant \u2013 i.e. receiving their own cord blood, as it may carry the mutation for leukemia.<\/p>\n

However, it is possible to receive an autologous cord blood transplant if the child has a cancerous solid tumour such as neuroblastoma. In fact, in 1998, a girl with neuroblastoma became the first case in the world to receive her own cord blood.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Four-year-old beats leukemia twice and starts his first day of school” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

Four-year-old beats leukemia twice and starts his first day of school<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Josh Stockhill was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at just 8 months old. After receiving chemotherapy, Josh then developed sepsis and was put into intensive care. Josh then endured 9 months of chemotherapy but relapsed at 2 years old. Recently, Josh found a match for a cord blood stem cell transplant in Spain which has changed his life. Last week, Josh attended his first day at school.<\/p>\n

Josh\u2019s mother, Kirsty, is now speaking out and raising awareness as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, urging people to consider donation cord blood donation. She said: “It was a cord blood donation from Spain that saved him. Some hospitals keep it, some don’t, but it can be a real life saver. It is so, so important – if you ever get the chance to donate, please do.”<\/p>\n

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How can I support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?
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