Dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis can be one of the most devastating and frightening experiences for a family to face.  Every day, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation works to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to raise funds for a cure for all types of childhood cancer. 

We've compiled Five Childhood Cancer Facts You Need to Know (and Share!). Please take the time to read these facts and share with everyone you know! Each September we work to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Knowing and sharing  the facts about this complicated set of diseases helps raise awareness of the need for more research and helps us journey closer to cures for all childhood cancer, one cup at a time! 

1. Every day there are almost 700 new cases of childhood cancer around the world, equivalent to an entire elementary school of children.  This adds up to over 250,000 new cases of cancer in children under the age of 20. 

2. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States. Every day 250 children around the world die from cancer. Each year, 91,250 children lose their life to cancer. Long term survival rates continue to increase, but not fast enough to save the thousands of children who will succumb to their disease today. 

3. Childhood cancer is not one disease, but several. Childhood cancer is made up of over a dozen different types and countless subtypes. Cancer in children can begin in the brain, bones, blood, kidneys or the lymphatic system. The causes of most types of childhood cancer are not known and are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors, unlike many adult cancers. Our Gold Ribbon Reps represent many of the different types of childhood cancer. 

4. Surviving childhood cancer brings its own set of complications.  Two-thirds of all childhood cancer patients will have long lasting chronic conditions from treatment.  Advancements in treatment have increased survival rates; however the treatment can lead to late term effects including chronic health conditions, struggles with learning and cognitive impairment.

5. There is hope. While childhood cancer is consistently underfunded at the government level, your support of research projects for all types of childhood cancer is bringing us closer to cures than ever before. There are children alive today that would not be—because of our supporters' dedication to finding cures for all children, one cup at a time.

In addition to these five childhood cancer facts, we also have an infographic you can share on social media and at fundraising events! Download it here.