Cancer Awareness Months

The month of May is recognized nationally each year as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Since there is no official awareness month for childhood brain cancer, the Team Jack Foundation is grateful to have this awareness month to raise additional awareness and funds for our cause. In addition to May, Team Jack celebrates September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Colored ribbons are widely known symbols used to raise awareness for a cause. For brain cancer, the ribbon color is gray and for childhood cancer the ribbon color is gold. Oftentimes, Team Jack will use a combination of the two to represent our cause as shown in the image on the right. Throughout both months, the Foundation takes the opportunity to educate followers on the facts of childhood brain cancer to show the need for more research.

According to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, approximately 32% of the 80,000 brain tumors diagnosed annually in the U.S. are malignant (cancerous). The deadliest brain tumor type is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which accounts for 45% of all malignant brain tumors. While these are the adult statistics for GBM, the disease also affects children as well.

In the Unites States, childhood cancer affects one in 285 children which translates to 43 cases being diagnosed daily. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death in children in the United States, with brain cancer being the deadliest. Of the National Cancer Institute’s research budget, just 4% is spent on studies for children, with even less spent specifically on childhood brain cancer.

While the Team Jack Foundation funds childhood brain cancer research, many of the studies may translate into other types of cancer found in both children and adults. The Team Jack Foundation has raised over $8.5 million specifically for childhood brain cancer research since 2013 and will continue to carry the torch until children are not only surviving their diagnosis but are thriving.

Below is a list of other months designated toward cancer awareness:

January	Cervical Cancer Awareness	June	National Cancer Survivor Month
February	Gallbladder & Bile Duct Cancer Awareness	July	Sarcoma Awareness Bladder Cancer Awareness
March	Colorectal Cancer Awareness Kidney Cancer Awareness Multiple Myeloma Awareness	September	Childhood Cancer Awareness Gynecological Cancer Awareness Leukemia/Lymphoma Cancer Awareness Ovarian Cancer Awareness Prostate Cancer Awareness Thyroid Cancer Awareness
April	Testicular Cancer Awareness Esophageal Cancer Awareness Head & Neck Cancer Awareness	October	Breast Cancer Awareness Liver Cancer Awareness
May	Brain Cancer Awareness Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness	November	Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Lung Cancer Awareness Stomach Cancer Awareness Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Caregivers Month