On September 17th, I am taking part in the Race Aigainst Cancer to support kids and their families going through cancer and other blood disorder treatments at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. 

Each year, thousands of kids are diagnosed with Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders.  The treatment for childhood cancer is often years of chemotherapy, surgeries, and long hospital stays. Our patients with Sickle Cell Disease (a blood disorder leading to acute and chronic pain) are admitted to the hospital for for weeks at a time in uncontrolled pain crisis.  Patients with aplastic anemia or HLH can require stem cell transplants that can lead to hospitalizations for months. As a healthcare provider, we see firsthand the heartache of childhood cancer blood disorders, so we want to do more. 

September is Pediatric Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month. There is such a need on our hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant unit for supportive items and experiences that we are only able to fund through your donations. Our mission is to make the heaviness of pediatric cancer and blood disorders a little lighter. 

$10 can buy a family a thermometer to detect early signs of life-threatening infections at home while their child is immunocompromised.

$14 can pay for a parking pass so both parents can come to bedside for dinner without thinking of the cost of another parking space. 

$50 can buy games and distractive toys for kids during their long hospital stays.  

$100 can support a parent attending one of our parents support groups.

$1,000 can go towards finding better treatment for pediatric cancer and sickle cell disease. 

Thank you for helping us try and make things a little lighter!