A childhood cancer diagnosis can change a family’s life in an instant. Along with medical treatments, families often face emotional, financial, and practical challenges that affect every part of daily life. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month shines a light on these experiences while encouraging support for research, treatment, and survivorship programs. It is also an opportunity to recognize the strength of children facing cancer and the families, caregivers, and healthcare teams who support them every step of the way.

For families in Queens and throughout New York City, access to cancer support services, free or low-cost treatments, emotional support, and survivorship resources can make a meaningful difference during and after treatment.

What Is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is an annual observance that focuses on cancers that affect children and teenagers. Hospitals, advocacy groups, researchers, survivors, and families work together to educate the public and raise support for children facing cancer, including efforts to:

• Raise awareness about childhood cancer
• Support research for new treatments and cures
• Help children and families during treatment and recovery
• Celebrate survivors and remember children who lost their lives to cancer

The most common cancers diagnosed in children under 14 are leukemia, brain and central nervous system tumors, and lymphoma. Other childhood cancers include neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. Learning about these diseases helps families better understand the importance of research, specialized treatment, and support services. 

When Is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month takes place every September. You may see people wearing gold, participating in awareness walks, sharing stories online, or supporting pediatric cancer charities. These activities help bring attention to the challenges children and families face during a cancer diagnosis.

What Is the History of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month grew out of years of advocacy by families, healthcare professionals, researchers, survivors, and nonprofit organizations working to bring greater attention to pediatric cancer. National recognition began in 1990, when President George H.W. Bush proclaimed October as National Awareness Month for Children with Cancer. In 2008, the U.S. Senate recognized September 13 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. Then, in 2012, President Barack Obama issued the first presidential proclamation recognizing September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Since then, the observance has helped raise awareness, support research, and advocate for children and families affected by cancer. 

Awareness efforts have also highlighted major progress in treatment. The five-year survival rate for childhood cancer has improved from about 58% to 68% in the 1970s to roughly 83% to 88% in recent years.

Why Is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Important?

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is important because thousands of children and families are affected by cancer every year. While childhood cancer is relatively rare, it remains the leading cause of death from disease among children in the United States. Despite advances in treatment, approximately 1600 children and adolescents in the United States die from cancer each year. Continued awareness and research funding help support the search for better treatments and improved outcomes. Right now, childhood cancer research only gets about 4% of national research funding. 

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month also highlights survivorship. Many children go on to live full lives after treatment, but some continue to face physical, emotional, or mental health challenges. Ongoing follow-up care and support services can help survivors stay healthy and manage long-term effects of treatment. 

What Is the Theme for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026?

At this time, there is no official national theme for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026. 

Even without a national theme, organizations across the country continue to focus on the same goals: raising awareness, supporting research, helping families, improving survivorship, and advocating for better outcomes for children with cancer. 

Go Gold for Kids’ Cancer

The gold ribbon is the symbol of childhood cancer awareness. During September, people are encouraged to”Go Gold” to support children and families affected by cancer. Showing your support can be as simple as:

• Wearing a gold ribbon
• Sharing awareness messages on social media
• Supporting pediatric cancer fundraising efforts
• Volunteering with organizations that help children and families
• Learning more about childhood cancer and sharing reliable information

Every action, no matter how small, helps raise awareness and support children and families facing pediatric cancer. Thanks to continued research, awareness efforts, and advances in treatment, more children are surviving cancer than ever before. By supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, individuals and communities can help create a brighter future for children and families affected by cancer.

Childhood Cancer Support Services in Queens and New York

A childhood cancer diagnosis affects the whole family. Beyond medical treatment, many families need emotional support, financial resources, and help navigating life during and after cancer.

For families in Queens and throughout New York City, community-based cancer support services can provide valuable support at every stage of the cancer journey. At SHAREing & CAREing, we’re committed to helping thrivers, survivors, caregivers, and families find connection, encouragement, and resources when they need them most. Looking for a way to make a difference this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month? Donate to support SHAREing & CAREing’s programs and services, or consider starting a fundraiser to help support individuals and families affected by cancer. 

Sources: 

• Childhood Cancer, American Cancer Society
• Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, American Association for Cancer Research
• Lacking in funding, child cancer treatments leave kids with troubling side effects, TODAY
• Senate Resolution 350, 116th Congress, September 2019