Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
“We will do everything we can to keep that bully away.”
~Father of a child with cancer
from
Visual images are powerful. Sometimes, it is true that a picture says a thousand words. In order for us (I am talking about serious advocates for children with cancer) to progress to the next level of creating awareness in our society that will begin to truly save lives, we need togetherness, and we need a tool. These are two of my favorite things about The Truth 365 Documentary project. With the images that have been carefully taken and placed together, with many childhood cancer organization, hospitals, and doctors coming together, we have an opportunity before us to take a leap up that huge plateau that stands in the way of cures for childhood cancer. When people of the same interest and same passionate hearts join together, change can happen. We will “Keep That Bully Away!”
“What change would you like to see happen, Melinda,” you say?
Earlier Detection
80% of children who are diagnosed with cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages. This figure compare to 20% in adults.
Develop Less Toxic Treatments
Two thirds of children who survive childhood cancer have life-long effects from the treatment that helped save their life.
Seattle Children’s Hospital on my Make-A-Wish Hope Tour
These changes are only the tip of the iceberg. I want to be able to educate people– that 80% could be your child, or your grandchild, or your brother, or your sister. If people know the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer, then maybe that 80% can drop dramatically. We can then detect childhood cancer sooner, have fewer missed diagnoses, and save more children’s lives.
I received an email today from a teacher who has been sharing The Truth 365 videos with her middle school class. They recently lost a beautiful girl from their town. Brielle battled cancer for many years, and the entire community gathered around to support her. This teacher wants to make a difference for Brielle, who obviously touched the town with her spirit. What a beautiful way to remember her, by helping others. The more we learn, the more we can protect our children, and the more we can become the compassionate, caring human beings we were placed here to be.
One of the best things we can do for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (which is every month of the year for me—not just September!!) is to learn more about it ourselves and help others learn.
Please share, please get involved.
Are you a teacher? You just may save a child’s life by sharing.
Finally, I want to thank Professor Kristen Coppola from Monmouth University for becoming the first University to support The Truth 365…
And to Pepperdine University for being the second! I love Pepperdine! I love each one of you who goes the extra mile to help by sharing. It will make a difference for suffering children who have no voice. What better use of our time and our lives?
The Truth 365 Day 6 Preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuZ3tIY7GIA&feature=share
I am checking to see if you have signed the petition—not scary—very quick—help the kids—you have the time!
http://www.thetruth365.org/petition/
I love my calendar from St. Luke’s Mountain Tumor Institute in Boise:)
“I want to help be on the forefront of making childhood cancer extinct.”
~Melinda Marchiano
From The Truth 365 Day 6 Preview
Melinda Marchiano 
Comments on: "The Extinction of Childhood Cancer" (2)
Amen, Melinda! ❤ Earlier detection and less toxic treatments would be a start in the right direction. I LOVE that song by Nicole Ricken. I so wish I could have met you when you were in Seattle this past summer, but God was saying "it's not the time." In His time, right? You are one of the most beautiful souls I know, and I love you! XOXO
[…] day be a doctor, but she has not stopped fighting cancer. This time she is fighting for other kids. Her current project is The Truth 365, “a ground-breaking, grass-roots documentary film and social media campaign that gives a […]