Support children’s cancer research

To the editor:

September is Children’s Cancer Awareness Month.

I want to put out some statistics that you may not be aware of. Every week, 38 kids die from cancer. Every day, 43 kids and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer. The survival rate has increased from 20% in the 1950s to 80% today, but 95% had significant negative effects from treatment that need to be managed the rest of their lifetime.

I bring this to your attention as I am not so sure that our community’s awareness of the devastating effects to our kids is there.

It often comes early.

I know of a boy who is 8 years old and has been fighting brain cancer for more than four years.

I know of a 12-year-old boy who has had four different episodes of cancer, including one that resulted in stroke-like involvement. He went through therapy for two and a half years.

I also know of a little girl who has had liver cancer and gone through two liver transplants. We have had our own kids in Jay County who have suffered from cancer and I remember a young man I saw taking his last breaths when I was a young therapist at Jay County Hospital. Thirty-plus years later, that image has stuck with me.

I have been focused this month on the Great Cycle Challenge, which raises money for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Most of us never heard of this fund, but it is a fund focused on research of children’s cancer working not only on research but also helping those who survive cancer.

Many don’t know, but only 4% of funds federally going to research go to studying children’s cancers. Where there may be four options to choose from in treating adult cancers, there are only one or two options for kids. One that we don’t have a grasp on is brain cancer, which at this stage cannot be stopped but only attempted to control.

I reach out as the Children’s Cancer Research Fund needs our support. It is a main supporter of research and 83% of all funds collected go directly to research and the support of survivors.

First, I want to thank the generous supporters that have truly joined me in my efforts in the Great Cycle Challenge this month. I have been blown away by your generosity.

Still, I feel like we can do more as a community. If you feel what I feel related to seeing kids so young fighting for their lives instead of living and enjoying life, then I ask you to give. There is a website — greatcyclechallenge.org — that you can donate to.

Just go to the home page, type in Roy Adams at where it says participant and it will take you to my page. I am also collecting cash and check donations. You can drop by at Adams Physical Therapy Services and we will donate for you. If I have your email address, then I can supply you with a receipt for your taxes.

Think about this. Pray about this. The child that you save may be your child, your grandchild or your great-grandchild.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter as I know that I cannot reach out to everyone in this community personally, but believe me when I say this is very personal to me. I had to take the time to at least ask.

As much as we raise, these kids need more.

Sincerely,

Roy Adams

Portland