September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the non-profit organization Child Can is making sure families get the support they need during these tough times.

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related deaths among Canadian children, with data from Child Can showing that the rate of childhood cancer in Ontario has risen by about 1 percent each year from 1986 to 2018.

Amy Mathias, Community Engagement and Communications Associate at Child Can, mentions that there will be several flag-raising events happening across Ontario tomorrow, along with various activities throughout the month, including Child Can Pyjama Walks. Mathias highlights that these walks are very meaningful as they show solidarity with kids undergoing treatment.

“We encourage people to stay in their pyjamas; we call it the Child Can Pyjama Walk because it reflects how kids often stay in their pyjamas during treatment,” Mathias explained. “The treatment for childhood cancer isn’t just a day surgery. It can last anywhere from six weeks to three years, and during this period, wearing pyjamas is super comfortable for these kids.”

Mathias shares that Child Can supports families in many ways, including covering travel and other expenses related to treatments at places like London Health Sciences Centre where many children receive care.

“Right from diagnosis, Child Can provides parking passes for the whole duration of a child’s treatment which could last up to three years. This means families can keep that parking pass throughout their stay, saving them a significant amount of money right away,” she said. “We also assist with other costs like groceries, gas bills, utilities, and mortgage payments because those expenses don’t stop. Often one or both parents have to leave their jobs to take care of their sick child while they’re in the hospital for months.”

A gold ribbon serves as the internationally recognized symbol for all types of childhood cancer.

“Gold is a precious metal just like children are our most precious treasure. We’re incredibly grateful to municipalities across Southwestern Ontario that are glowing gold this September by raising flags and officially acknowledging Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” added Suzanne Fratschko Elliott, Executive Director at Child Can. “These actions mean so much when it comes to standing by our children and their families. We invite everyone to participate-whether it’s attending a flag-raising event, displaying an awareness lawn sign or joining us for the Childcan Pyjama Walk. Together we can honor our young heroes’ courage and help drive real change this September.”

Mathias says donations play a vital role in keeping Child Can operational; throughout the month there will be numerous events and chances to donate such as a walk and bike ride across the new Gordie Howe Bridge. Childcan assists 25 percent of all children diagnosed with childhood cancer in Ontario. For more information about Childhood Cancer Awareness Month or how you can donate, visit childcan. com/gold.

Flag raising events are planned on these dates:

September 1:

-Stratford will host a flag raising ceremony at Stratford City Hall at 8:30 a. m.

-St. Mary’s will hold its flag raising ceremony at St. Mary’s Town Hall at 10 a. m.

-Aylmer’s flag raising ceremony will take place at Aylmer Town Hall at 11 a. m.

-Amherstburg will also have its flag raising ceremony at Amherstburg Town Hall starting noon.

-Chatham’s flag raising ceremony is set for Chatham-Kent Civic Centre at noon.

-Owen Sound’s ceremony takes place at City Hall at 3 p. m.

-Huron County will fly its flag outside Huron County Courthouse throughout September

-London plans on flying flags while illuminating City Hall, RBC Place, and other buildings from September 1-7.
-Tecumseh will raise its flag while lighting up Town Hall

September 2 ,3 ,4 :

-La Salle will host its flag raising ceremony on September2nd at12:00 pm at Civic Centre

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