Childhood Cancer
Awareness Month
Join St. Jude this September as we honor those with pediatric cancer. We won't stop until no child — anywhere — dies from cancer.
HELP GIVE THEM TOMORROW.
On average, more than 290 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer every week.
Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped improve the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% in the U.S. since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude leads more clinical trials for childhood cancer than any other children's hospital in the U.S.
About 90% of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries where they lack access to adequate diagnosis and treatment. Most of these children will die from their disease.
In high-income nations, such as the U.S., survival rates for pediatric cancers exceed 80%. To bridge this gap, St. Jude created St. Jude Global. This initiative is dedicated to improving quality of care and increasing survival rates worldwide for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Working with partners around the world, we have created a global community that works together to address disparities in access to diagnosis and care around the world.
Worldwide, about 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year. Only half of these children’s diseases are diagnosed.
St. Jude partnered with World Health Organization (WHO) to create the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer which aims to cure at least 60% (6 out of 10) of children with 6 of the most common cancers by 2030. St. Jude, WHO and other international partners have also developed the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines to address the inconsistent availability of quality essential cancer medicines. The platform’s first delivery of vital medicines began in February 2025.
Learn more about the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer >
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Pablo Jose
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
St. Jude patient Pablo Jose with his father
For me, St. Jude is another world. It is the best in every sense of the word, not only the people who work at St. Jude but the medicine they offer.
— St. Jude patient Pablo Jose's father
Pablo Jose was diagnosed with a blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2021 at the age of 5 in his homeland of Guatemala.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Leukemia
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
- ALL is the most common form of childhood cancer.
- Treatment may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy or stem cell (bone marrow) transplant.
St. Jude research on ALL
St. Jude is advancing clinical trials that use risk-based treatments to improve survival rates and reduce side effects for children with ALL, the most common childhood cancer. We are also studying treatments that combine chemotherapy with immunotherapy, including blinatumomab and inotuzumab, to improve outcomes and reduce side effects.
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Braylan
Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma (NRSTS)
St. Jude patient Braylan with his parents
We couldn’t have asked for it to be at a better place than St. Jude. They gave me all the hope in a world that I could ever have.
— St. Jude patient Braylan's mother
Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Solid tumor
- Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) is a group of rare cancers that start in the soft tissues, such as muscles, fatty tissue or nerves.
- NRSTS can grow in different parts of the body, including the arms, legs, chest or abdomen (belly).
- Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Scientists are also studying targeted therapies to treat NRSTS.
St. Jude research on Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma (NRSTS)
St. Jude is evaluating new treatment approaches for NRSTS tumors based on tumor risk group. These approaches include targeted therapies such as pazopanib and selinexor.
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Hazel
Medulloblastoma
St. Jude patient Hazel with her parents
Everybody at St. Jude was kind. People knew us and we knew them, and it was amazing that our needs were met on such a broad level. It wasn’t just medical care but making sure that we had what we needed to meet her needs.
— St. Jude patient Hazel's mother
In 2022, when Hazel was 2, her parents noticed she was having balance issues. A visit to a local hospital in Kentucky revealed a brain tumor. Doctors were able to remove the tumor, but Hazel was going to need further treatment for the malignant tumor called medulloblastoma. Hazel was referred to St. Jude.
Medulloblastoma
Brain cancer
- Medulloblastoma is a type of brain tumor that usually starts near the brain stem in the cerebellum. Located in the lower back part of the brain, the cerebellum helps control movement and balance.
- It is most often seen in children, especially those under 10 years old, but it can also happen in teens and adults.
- Medulloblastoma can grow and spread quickly, so doctors usually treat it with a mix of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
St. Jude research on medulloblastoma
St. Jude is leading clinical trials that use molecular classification to tailor medulloblastoma treatment. Our aim is to improve survival and preserve healthy brain development.
Donate today to give them tomorrow
In the U.S., 1 in 5 children with cancer won’t survive. But there is hope. You can help give them more tomorrows by supporting our lifesaving mission.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
*When you make a donation using this information, your donation will be used to provide breakthrough research, treatment and cures. Items listed here are representative of services and supplies that are part of the treatment and care of children at St. Jude. The cost of each item or service is an approximation, and will vary based on actual costs incurred and individual patient needs. Your donation will be used for the general operating needs of St. Jude, where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food..
Help give more kids a chance to grow up
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you can help make cures possible for kids with cancer. Together, we can save more lives.
GIVE THEM TOMORROW.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month FAQs
Gold ribbon art by St. Jude survivor Tayde
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National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is in September.
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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM) — a time of year we and other organizations honor children and survivors affected by pediatric cancer in order to raise awareness and continue the research and treatment of the disease. Childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14.
September was proclaimed National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by President Obama in 2010.
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International Childhood Cancer Day is Feb. 15. This is a separate awareness day from Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
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Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under age 14. Awareness helps fund lifesaving research, supports families and brings hope to kids around the world. By sharing their stories and showing your support, you become part of a movement to make cures possible.
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The color gold and the gold ribbon are symbols of support for children affected with cancer.
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You can promote childhood cancer awareness by sharing this page with friends, family and colleagues, or #ShowYourGold this September by sharing a picture while wearing gold on any of your social media accounts, like Instagram.
You can also show your support for the kids of St. Jude by shopping for CCAM gold items in our gift shop.
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You can find Childhood Cancer Awareness T-shirts and other items that show your support for the kids of St. Jude by shopping for CCAM gold items in our gift shop.
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September is the awareness month for several kinds of cancer in addition to pediatric cancer. September has been Childhood Cancer Awareness Month since 2010. Other cancer observance months held in September include:
- Sickle Cell Awareness Month
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
- Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
You may be interested in:
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Sickle Cell Awareness Month
In September, St. Jude raises awareness of sickle cell disease research. Join us this Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
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Why support St. Jude?
Learn how supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital helps pediatric cancer patients worldwide.
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St. Jude Global
St. Jude Global is striving to create a network of programs and institutions to treat childhood diseases. Learn more about our newest initiatives.
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Support our kids all year long
Discover how to give to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude without making a monetary donation.