THE FACTS
In the 2 years following a childhood cancer diagnosis, a decrease in annual household income is more common than an increase. At the same time, significant increases are seen in the unemployment of at least one caregiver as well as families with one caregiver taking a temporary leave of absence from work.
Over half the children in My Childhood Cancer: Survey Series were under the age of 5 when they were diagnosed with cancer.
More Facts
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In Oklahoma, about 150 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. This leaves a heavy financial impact on families. Parent surveys reveal that 32.5% spend more than 40 hours per week caring for their sick child; 38.4% noted that one adult had to stop working because of the diagnosis (The American Childhood Cancer Organization).
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Even with the amazing progress in recent years, childhood cancer is responsible for killing more children and teenagers every year than any other disease. One person out of every 285 will develop cancer before age 20. Each day, 43 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States (Children’s Cancer Fund of America).
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3 out of 4 participating families had other children in the household when their child was diagnosed with cancer.
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Childhood cancer research is consistently underfunded by our federal government. This is why your support is so important.