- AML is the second most common form of childhood leukemia.
- There are about 500 cases of pediatric AML diagnosed in the United States each year.
- Remissions are often obtained, but 50% of all AML patients relapse.
- After relapse, the only curative treatment is a bone marrow transplant.
- Unlike other cancers, AML does not occur in stages. Instead, it tends to be found spread throughout the bloodstream at the time of diagnosis, and may have invaded an organ. As a result of its ability to affect the whole body at once, it must be treated aggressively as soon as possible.
- Cancer is the #1 disease killer in children in the U.S.
- Cancer kills more children than AIDs, asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and congenital anomalies combined.
- 13,500 children ages 19 and under are diagnosed with cancer each year in the US.
- 36 children are diagnosed every day in the U.S.
- The causes of most childhood cancers are unknown. At present, childhood cancer cannot be prevented.
- 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.
- 74% of childhood cancer survivors have chronic illnesses, and some 40% of childhood cancer survivors have severe illnesses or die from such illnesses.
- Sadly, over 2,300 children with cancer die each year.
- The average age of death for a child with cancer is 8, causing a childhood cancer victim to lose 69 years of expected life years; a significant loss of productivity to society.
(Sources: http://www.acco.org/Information/AboutChildhoodCancer/ChildhoodCancerStatistics.aspx, http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com/page/facts-1)
Our Fundraising Efforts
Sam was treated at a world-class facility, the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
We were hosted by the Ronald McDonald House of Milwaukee. It is a gorgeous facility. I have, in the past, brought meals to RMH in other cities, and it's a wonderful mitzvah. This RMH has a general wish list. We are truly blessed to have so many people who want to help us, and we want to make sure that you know how lucky we are to extend our love to the RMH and the other families who are there as well. What an amazing place.
The MACC Fund, the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, is a major supporter of CHW and cancer research.
We support the work of the St. Baldrick's Foundation, working through research to end childhood cancer.
The Fund will support pediatric cancer research through the above organizations, as well as pediatric cancer patients and their families.