Childhood Cancer

Each year in the U.S. there are an estimated 15,780 children between the ages of birth and 19 years of age who are diagnosed with cancer. Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday. Globally there are more than 300,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year. Every 3 minutes, somewhere in the world a family hears the devastating words that their child has been diagnosed with cancer. While survival rates for many types of childhood cancer have improved, for too many children, cancer will shorten their lives too soon. Cancer remains the most common cause of death by disease for children in America.

Source of information: www.acco.org

I designed these cards in honor of my friend’s daughter, Tatum, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 6. She is a two-time cancer survivor, and a thriving teenager today. In 2007, after finishing treatment the first time, Tatum and her family started Tatum’s Bags of Fun that delivers backpacks to every child diagnosed with cancer in Indiana. Inside each bag is $350 worth of movies, books, dolls, crafts, stuffed animals, toys, and an electronic. To read more about Tatum’s mission, visit www.tatumparkerproject.org.