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Posts Tagged ‘National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month’

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Posted in Awareness, Fundraiser, Hat Drives, Mad Hatter Day, tagged , , , , on September 1, 2013| Leave a Comment »

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!  How are you going to make a difference?  Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children younger than 15 years old (after accidents).  In the U.S., about 46 children and teens are diagnosed with cancer every week day.

You can help!  Hold a Mad Hatter drive in your community and help bring awareness to this disease, while helping to improve the quality of life for kids and teens battling cancer.  Find out more here: http://hatsoffforcancer.org/mad-hatter-drive/

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HOC Hero of the Week: Chris West

Posted in Awareness, Hat Heroes, HOC Hero of the Week, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on September 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »

To kick off the start of September, and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to honor our HOC Hero of the Week, Chris West.

Chris is a 14-year-old who has a probable relapse after fighting stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma last year.

 

Last year, Chris began complaining of arm pain and after many doctor visits, was told he had stage 4 Hogdkins Lymphoma.  In June, 2011, Chris had a port put in and started chemotherapy.

Chris was diagnosed during the last week of school in 2011.  Even though he spent his whole summer in treatment, he always had a smile on his face.  He kept that positive outlook the entire time.

Chris finished his chemo in October and finished radiation in December, 2011.  This past April, he was able to go on a Make-A-Wish trip, and celebrated his “End of Chemo” party in July, 2012.  He also got his friends together to fundraise for charities focusing on helping cancer patients.

Chris had to be home schooled last year due to treatments,  and was looking forward to going back to school this year.  However, after going for routine scans, only two days after his 14th birthday, Chris was told he had a probable relapse.  On what was supposed to be his first day back to school with friends, Chris had a surgeon consultation, and has his biopsy scheduled for September 10th.

Despite a relapse and returning to treatment and radiation looming over his head, Chris has kept his positive attitude.  He is scared and nervous, but focused on school work.

Please join us in praying for Chris and his family as they face cancer once again.  You can “like” his facebook page!  Help him get to 1,000 likes before he goes for his biopsy appointment on September 10th.

Chris, your selflessness coordinating fundraisers for charities to help others with cancer and your positive outlook are truly inspiring.  We are proud to name you our HOC Hero of the Week!

Check out Chris’s facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/prayersforchriswest

If you know a child or teen who is battling or has battled cancer and you want to nominate them for our next HOC Hero of the Week, tell us about your hero and include photos and any links to their pages so we can support them!  Fill out the nomination form here: http://hatsoffforcancer.org/nominate-hero. 

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More than 500 groups participating in Mad Hatter drives!

Posted in Mad Hatter Day, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 24, 2011| Leave a Comment »

More than 500 groups are holding Mad Hatter drives throughout the United States during October and November.  This is our fifth year holding a special Mad Hatter event and coordinating them nationwide.  We’ve seen some great photos posted to our Facebook page.  Here are a few:

Howard Health and Life Sciences High School had fun on Mad Hatter Day. We raised close to $300 for Hats off for Cancer and collected so many hats!

Morningside Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah hosted our first Silly Hat Day at Morningside Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah. 119 new hats collected! and lots of fun hats worn to school to help raise awareness for childhood cancer.

Stephen F Elementary School in Jones Creek, Texas donated over 150 brand new hats for the cause! The students were thrilled to show they care! we closed the hat drive off with a Mad Hatter day Popsicle Party! Way to go SFA!

Girl Scout Troop 5497 from Gravette, Arkansas hosted a Mad Hatter Tea Party, and afterwards knitted hats for Hats Off For Cancer. The hats that have been knitted and collected will be donated to Arkansas Children's Hsopital and St. Jude's Hospital.

Gainesville, Florida at O2B Kids Midtown Branch celebrates the kick-off for their Mad Hatter drive and tea party.

Did your group hold a hat or fundraising drive this year?  If so, post your photos to our Facebook page.

Interested in signing up your group/school/company to participate in Mad Hatter 2011?  There’s still time to sign up here.

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National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Posted in Fundraiser, Hat Drives, Mad Hatter Day, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »

September 1st (today) marks the beginning of a month dedicated to bringing awareness to children fighting cancer. Here at Hats Off For Cancer we focus on children fighting cancer all year round.  However, this is a great opportunity to get the larger public involved in becoming more aware and more involved in helping these brave, young cancer patients.

I found a wonderfully written letter in the news this morning and I would like to share it with you.  It was written by Rod Hamilton, a Representative from Minnesota in District 22B.

For 43 families, today will be a difficult day. Thirty-six of them will have a child diagnosed with cancer; seven will see their child lose their battle.

Each year, 40,000 children undergo cancer treatment. The rate of childhood cancer has been increasing over the past 20 years, and it is now the leading cause of death by a disease in children under age 15. The average age of a child diagnosed with cancer: 6 years old. The causes: Unknown. The effect: Lifelong.

These statistics are sobering. Let them prompt you to take action. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. You can make a difference. Become a blood donor. It’s not the first thing people think of, but children in cancer treatment need blood. Remember, too, that every child battling cancer has a family. Give them your support and assistance as they endure tough times.

So by now, you’re probably wondering if there’s something you can do to help these kids.  Fortunately, there are ways that you can help provide smiles for these brave children while they’re fighting for their lives.

  • Hold a Mad Hatter hat or fundraising drive in your community, at your school, at your company or business, or with your organization (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Key Club, Lions, Kiwanis, PTA, Dance Team, Cheerleading Team, etc…) Register for your official e-packet here: http://bit.ly/MadHatterHOC
    • Host a Mad Hatter Tea Party
    • Hold a Crazy Hat Parade and show off your craziest hat
    • Charge $1-$2 to wear hats at school for the day
    • Have an “Unbirthday” party and ask your friends to bring new hats to the celebration
    • Host a booth at your town’s fall carnival
    • The possibilities are endless!
  • Use our “Request a hat” form to personally request the perfect hat for a child that you know who is battling cancer.
  • Host a Tea Party and wear your favorite hat
  • Get a local band to put on a concert in honor of these kids and ask for a donation for Hats Off For Cancer at the door.
  • Ask your school to hold a dance and charge a small admission or a new hat for entrance.
  • Have a decorating or knitting party and create beautiful hats for the kids who lose their hair.
  • Go to your local hospital and volunteer during their play time.  These cancer patients are kids, too.  They want to have fun just like any child.
We hope that these suggestions will motivate you to help make a difference this month in the lives of children fighting cancer.  Together, we can make a childhood cancer patient’s day a bit happier and their smile a bit brighter.

Hats Off For Cancer is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS and considered tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law.  All donations will receive a gift receipt in order for tax purposes.  As one of the leading hat programs As one of the leading and original hat programs, Hats Off For Cancer has donated more than 1,000,000 brand new hats to hospitals, camps, and individuals worldwide since it began in 1996. 

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