Every day, 47 children are diagnosed with cancer in this country. Compared to adult cancer, pediatric cancer is rare, but it is common enough that you likely know someone touched by it. This vicious disease took Hinsdale’s Brooks Tonn too soon, and it now afflicts our son, Alexander Brown.
Our children show us every day how strong they are, but they should not have to fight this battle. This September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, please reflect on your hopes and dreams for your children. Then, please commit to getting involved in the fight against childhood cancer, because you never know when cancer might afflict a child you love.
There are many worthy organizations that help children and families in the fight. The Brooks Strong Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Bear Necessities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities are some of the organizations you may know.
We are establishing a Chicago-area chapter of Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, an organization committed to finding better treatments and, ultimately, cures for this cruel disease.
Please get involved with some or all of these important organizations. The time, effort and donations of people like you have given Alexander the best chance possible to beat his cancer. With sustained effort, we can give future children better and better chances, until, one day, we win the war against childhood cancer. — Matt and Christy Brown, Hinsdale
