Please Join Us in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer

It is September 1st.

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Here are some startling facts about childhood cancer.

Cancer is the number one disease killer of children in our country, more than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and pediatric AIDS combined! After accidents, it is the second leading cause of death in children.

Today the parents of 46 children will hear the words, “Your child has cancer.”

Today 7 children took their last breath. On April 2, 2009 Elena was one of the 46. We can’t even think about her being one of the 7! Overall, 80% of childhood cancer cases can be successfully treated.....that sounds great until you think of putting 5 children in a room, look around and realize that one of them won’t survive…..from there, 80% doesn't look so good!

While over the years the survival rate for kids with cancer has risen, many of the children who survive face health problems from the harsh cancer fighting treatments they have endured. With children still dying and many others suffering late effects, much more research for safer and better treatments is needed. This research requires money. Unfortunately, less than 2% of federal funding for cancer research is given to childhood cancers.

CURE is an organization based in Atlanta that is funding research specifically for pediatric cancers. You may think this research can't help. You’re wrong. A beautiful, bright eight year old girl in our neighborhood was diagnosed with ALL almost two years after Elena. Six months before Abby’s treatment started there was a different treatment protocol. Elena's protocol was different from Abby's. The protocol was altered because of the results of an ongoing study. A study that ended early because the results were so overwhelmingly positive that it will increase Abby’s chance of survival. That’s where the dollars you give today are going.

For the third year in a row, we are participating in an initiative called “CURE's Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time.” On September 11, both Elena and Olivia will be honored. CURE Childhood Cancer will feature our story on CURE’s website www.curechildhoodcancer.org, CURE’s blog www.curechildhhocancerblog.wordpress.com and on http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/oliviaandelenatate/2011curekids

Our goal is to raise as much money as we can to fund research that will lead to better treatments and cures for pediatric cancers. Please consider donating to help fund this research. For us, participating in this month's initiative with CURE is a way to honor our girls, their fight, their perseverance and their grace.

We hope you will help and share our story with your families and friends. We will keep you posted on the initiative's progress.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us and care for us!
In Him,
The Tates

"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me (us)." 2 Corinthians 12:9