CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS POSTAGE STAMP
There is no doubt that this theme fits the criteria of "widespread national appeal and significance" as: 1) CHILDHOOD CANCER IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF OUR NATION'S most precious resource: our CHILDREN; 2) Childhood Cancer results in 30x more pediatric deaths than Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the United States; 3) Childhood Cancer kills more children in the United States than AIDS, asthma, diabetes and cystic fibrosis COMBINED; 4) APPROXIMATELY 12,400 AMERICAN CHILDREN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER THIS YEAR. This works out to 1.4 children per hour and almost 34 children per day!; 5) One out of every 330 American children will carry the diagnosis of cancer by the age of 20, and 6) Approximately 2,300 American children lose their battle to cancer every year.
Although these statistics are stunning, they do not reveal the enormous impact of Childhood Cancer. The diagnosis of a child's cancer devastates the entire family. Marriages have been torn apart under the inordinate stress of a child's life-threatening disease. The unending angst wears on every part physically, intellectually and psychologically. The financial implications cannot be overlooked. Frequently one or both parents must take leave from their jobs. In some cases, they find that they are completely unable to work because of the amount of care their child needs. (Note: some children's protocols require 2-3 years of chemotherapy). The awesome news that more than 2/3 of children diagnosed with cancer will survive their disease also fails to tell the entire story. The current treatment which saves our children's lives exacts a lifelong price. These late effects may include a wide range of problems such as heart failure, pulmonary abnormalities, infertility, cataracts, hearing impairment, growth hormone deficiencies and neurocognitive deficits. Tragically, the treatment puts these children at a higher risk for other cancers later in life. The increasing survival rates will bring increasing challenges for our families, education system, medical system and workforce.
Recently, we learned that childhood cancer was again not chosen for a commemorative (1st class) stamp for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 or 2007. We are continuing with our request for a semipostal (fundraising) stamp for childhood cancer. This, too, has been an ongoing effort, but now we are taking the gloves off and asking that it be legislatively mandated.
In August 2001 there was a submission to the U.S.P.S. of an RFP for a semipostal for childhood cancer. USPS was given the authority to issue semipostals after the first legislatively mandated stamp, the breast cancer stamp, which has raised over $25 million for breast cancer research.
It is unfortunate, but apparently clear, that the USPS has no intention in the near future to issue a commemorative stamp for childhood cancer, even though thousands of letters were written from families across the country in support of this stamp. Part of the criteria in issuing a commemorative, first-class stamp is to be nationally significant and benefit human welfare.
I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF A TWO-TIME CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVIVOR, BAILEY McMANUS (born 4/29/96), AND MEGAN McMANUS (borth 11/14/94).
BAILEY WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED AT AGE 5, TWO MONTHS BEFORE HER 6TH BIRTHDAY, WITH VERY HIGH RISK, VERY RARE PHILADELPHIA-POSITIVE CHROMOSOME ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA (1/1,000,000). SHE WAS ONLY GIVEN A 30% CHANCE OF SURVIVAL.
AFTER 2-1/2 EXHAUSTING YEARS OF CHEMOTHERAPY, SHE GOT A BREAK. SHE WAS HEALTHY AND HAD ROUTINE FOLLOWUPS FOR THE FOLLOWING TWO YEARS. UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF THE AGGRESSIVE NATURE OF HER CANCER, BAILEY RELAPSED ON 3/13/07 (FIVE YEARS AND ONE WEEK AFTER CYTOGENIC/MORPHOLOGIC REMISSION), EVEN THOUGH SHE STILL HAD TO UNDERGO THE HORRENDOUS/EXHAUSTING CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS FOR THE 2-1/2 YEARS).
SHE HAD A DOUBLE CORD BLOOD TRANSPLANT ON JUNE 14, 2007 AT CITY OF HOPE IN DUARTE, CA. FORTUNATELY, THE TRANSPLANT WAS SUCCESSFUL, BUT THE RECOVERY FROM TRANSPLANT WAS VERY LONG, DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL FOR HER. EVEN THOUGH SHE NEVER GAVE UP, HER BODY WAS TOO WEAK TO GO ON AND SHE PASSED AWAY ON APRIL 11, 2008, A COUPLE WEEKS SHY OF HER 12TH BIRTHDAY. MY BRAVE SOLDIER LOST HER BATTLE, AS SO MANY INCREDIBLY BRAVE, COURAGEOUS, INCREDIBLY STRONG-WILLED CHILDREN DO. SHE BATTLED VERY HIGH RISK, VERY RARE CANCER TWICE (ONE IN A MILLION CANCER) -- BUT LOST. SHE HAS HAD NUMEROUS BACTERIAL INFECTIONS (INCLUDING MRSA), 11 CENTRAL LINES, A PUNCTURED LUNG, PANCREATITIS, ASPERGILLOUS, TRALI (TRANSFUSION RELATED ACUTE LUNG INJURY -- A ONE IN A BILLION CHANCE), AND PASSED WAY FROM BRONCHIOLITIS OBLITERANS, PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, KIDNEY FAILURE AND LIVER FAILURE, ALL SECONDARY EFFECTS OF THE TRANSPLANT, AND THE YEARS PRIOR OF CHEMO/RADIATION. BECAUSE OF THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF WHAT BAILEY HAD TO GO THROUGH, I PERSONALLY LOST MY MARRIAGE OF 12 YEARS, AS WELL AS MY FAMILY HOME, MY INVESTMENT PROPERTY (FOR MY GIRLS) AND RECENTLY FILED BANKRUPTCY. I AM ALSO NOW COLLECTING WELFARE. NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS! NO FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS! THIS HAS TO STOP! FUNDS FOR RESEARCH ARE NEEDED. STAMPS WILL RAISE THE NECESSARY MONEY FOR RESEARCH.
PLEASE APPROVE THE COMMERORATION OF A CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS SEMIPOSTAL POSTAGE STAMP IMMEDIATELY. I DON'T THINK YOU REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD THIS AFFECTS. I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF ... RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CURE THESE HORRENDOUS CANCERS AND SAVE ALL HELPLESS CHILDREN FROM BEING VICTIMS AND TARGETS OF SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CURED WITH NECESSARY FUNDS.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Erica McManus (and thousands of supporters)
My son was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was only 8 months, he has had 2 brain surgery's to remove the tumor and to remove a blood clot as a result of the surgery. His tumor was about 10x9x6 and took nearly the whole left hemisphere of brain, he is now suffering from developmental delays, vision loss, seizures, and more.
Signing this petition is important to me because I want to do everything I can to help advance research. It is tear jerking seeing these kids in the hospital having to go through this, my son's tumor can return and if it does i want to make sure he has the best shot possible as well as these other kids. The funds from the stamp needs to go towards research. Thank you.
Supporting my daughter's desire to work with children who and become a doctor in this field.
Funding targeted research based on feedback directly from the children and their families.
This seems to be a great way of spreading awareness about childhood cancer. I am signing this petition as I am doing a project on designing postage stamps and looking for various topics or events which postage stamps can bear. Creating awareness about various diseases or for that matter, something which is as painful as cancer is a great way to make the common man aware.
My friends mother died of cancer and i would hate for her to have to lose her kid to this disease as well.
Becuase i would love to grow up and be a pediatric oncologist but i cant right now so i am doing anything to help! Money should go to any cancer research insitution.
:)
Working for the American Cancer Society, I encounter cancer survivors of all ages. Children cancer surivors are certainly the most heart wrenching. I think any act that would raise money from childhood cancer research is money well spent!
'With the Medicine Buddha mantra you can liberate numberless sentient beings from oceans of suffering and bring them to enlightenment.' - Lama Zopa. Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha BeKanze Radza Samudgate Soha In the Bhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabharāja Sūtra, the Medicine Buddha is described as having entered into a state of samadhi called "Eliminating All the Suffering and Afflictions of Sentient Beings." From this samadhi state he spoke the Medicine Buddha Dharani.[1] namo bhagavate bhaiṣajyaguru vaiḍūryaprabharājāya tathāgatāya arhate samyaksambuddhāya tadyathā: oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajye mahābhaiṣajya-samudgate svāhā. The last line of the dharani is used as the Medicine Buddha's mantra. Medicine Buddha Sutra, as a bodhisattva who made 12 great vows. On achieving Buddhahood, he became the Buddha of the eastern realm of Vaidūryanirbhāsa, or "Pure Lapis Lazuli". The Twelve Vows of the Medicine Buddha upon attaining Enlightenment, according to the Medicine Buddha Sutra[1] are: To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling anyone to become a Buddha just like him. To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli. To provide the sentient beings with whatever material needs they require. To correct heretical views and inspire beings toward the path of the Bodhisattva. To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before. To heal beings born with deformities, illness or other physical sufferings. To help relieve the destitute and the sick. To help women who wish to be reborn as men achieve their desired rebirth. To help heal mental afflictions and delusions. To help the oppressed be free from suffering. To relieve those who suffer from terrible hunger and thirst. To help clothe those who are destitute and suffering from cold and mosquitoes.
Breast cancer
to bring awareness and to help. Childhood cancer
My son is 6 years old, he was diagnosed with leukemia 4 months ago. He has become allergic to alot of the medications that are required for his treatment. It scares me to think of what will happen when he becomes allergic to all his medications, is there an alternative.
This petition is important to me because my son is the most important thing in my life, and if I lose him due to lack of research from funding. . . that is unexceptable.
My heart goes out to those families that have been affected by childhood cancer or any cancer for that matter. I truly hope in my lifetime we are able to find a cure. God bless you all.
Our daughter Sarah was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at age 17 days old. By age 2 1/2 , she had 4 major abdominal surgeries, 15 months of chemotherapy, a bone marrow harvest, and many painful procedures. Thankfully with all the prayers and the therapy that she had received ...Sarah is now a beautiful, healthy 20 year old. While Sarah was blessed to have survived this disease our hearts and prayers go out to all of those children who weren't as fortunate.
This stamp is important to me because I feel it will help to rasie the funds to provide additional research needed for childhood cancer. My hope is that know child and family will have to endure the pain and devastation of being diagnosed with cancer.
I am a cancer survivor and see too many children who are diagnosed with this disease, whether it be leukemia, neuroblastoma, etc. I personally know 4 very young children diagnosed with neuroblastoma, which gets very little research funding.
research for neuroblastoma must be addressed and increased.
Cancer has to stop. Anything that will raise money and awareness should be done.
Friends' 3 year old son has Stage IV Neuroblastoma. He's a beautiful child and has been a trooper through treatments so far, but it stinks that a 3 year old child (or any child) has to deal with cancer.
This stamp is important because it will help raise awareness about Childhood Cancers and hopefully awareness will bring funds to help with research and treatments.
My daughter has successfully been treated for Wilm's Tumor. I wish that every child who duffers from cancer has the chance for a cure and full recovery.
My 3 year old nephew, Charlie, was diagnosed on Christmas Eve, 2009 with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a large, malignant, metastatic, nerve-based abdominal tumor. He is currently undergoing treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). This chapter in our lives has been surreal: truly the worst and best of all things. We have seen first-hand how life can take an unthinkable turn for the worse and, in turn, how astoundingly wonderful the people around us can be. Without even having to ask we have seen our community of family, friends and folks near and far rally together to support us and Charlie while he fights. Jimmie Cox and Eric Clapton had it wrong when they said "Nobody knows you when you're down and out." Seeing the smiling faces of friends and neighbors is great therapy and the generosity been staggering. Having a postage stamp to increase the entire nation's awareness of - and raise money for - childhood cancer research would give us peace of mind. It would be a giant step toward ensuring that the future's children will not have to endure Charlie's ordeal. I know I speak for our entire family when I say how thankful we are for all the support we have seen - monetary, emotional and logistic. We would be so grateful to have you on Charlie's side! Thank you from the bottom our hearts. Sincerely and with love, Kate Haughey Fleming (Charlie's Aunt) and the entire Hoff and Haughey family
WHY IS SIGNING THIS PETITION IMPORTANT TO YOU? see above WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND THAT MONEY RAISED FROM THE STAMP BE DIRECTED? research for cures for childhood cancers and for support for families of kids with cancer
My nephew Charlie has Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. His family found out on Christmas Eve 2010. He then turned 3 years old on December 27th. He is such a wonderful little person. He is usually so cheerful and personable. He is adored by his five and eight year old sisters, Katie and Kelly. Charlie absolutley loves anything to do with Thomas the Tank Engine. He also loves twirling his Mother's hair and fishing with his Dad. I am so thankful to anyone who can help this little boy have a healthy and happy life. I am a better person having him in my life! Sincerely, Allison Hoff
I believe making a postage stamp could raise the awareness and money necessary to fight Charlie's life-threatening disease. I would like the money to support research on treating children like Charlie who will have to have chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant due to Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. I would also like to support research on any alternative treatments.
In 1964, when I was 6 years old, my cousin died of Leukemia at the age of 4. It was devastating to our family. Michael was such a sweet and beautiful child. Advances have been made since then - but we need to do more to find a cure and to prevent cancer. Funding is needed and this is a way to raise awareness and provide funding.
I am coming at this topic from both sides of the coin. I am a scientist and run a research lab. My lifetime research goal is to understand how cells make switches (decisions) when faced with different environments. One of these molecular switches involves deciding whether to try and survive in the face of adversity or die. Cancer cells typically do not die and carry on dividing when they otherwise should of triggered the death pathway. Thus I understand and benefit from dollars that are dedicated to cancer research. Slowly progress is being made but there is NEVER enough funding. There are many bright and excellent scientists (both young and old) whose research on childhood cancers could fly. Case in point, the ACS can only fund about 5% of the grant applications it receives! If a cure is what the world wants, then it has to pave a way for it to happen. The other side of the coin is helping the family of my dear running friend whose 3 year old son just was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. My heart goes out to them.
Research is the only way forward to finding a cure to all cancers. Armed with the knowledge of what cancer cells do differently to other cells, scientist can start to look for specific targets on these cancer cells to kill them. The advantage of this stratergy is that chemotherapy would no longer kill all dividing cells but specifically target cancer cells. We need more funding to address all these issues. The people, the minds, the ideas are all there but funding is so restricted. I would recommend the money be directed by a similar set up to the ACS. Scientists would then be able to compete fro funding.
Yes, our grandaughter has recovered from burketts(sp)? lymphoma. She is 13 now. Had the cancer at 4 and is part of a study.
After our experience, we realized the need for research.
Several friends and young children in our community are now fighting cancer.
Cancer has become so prevalent, especially among children and young people. We desperately need to find its causes and ways to eradicate them, and, of course, we need to find the cures.
We need to help save our!!!
HAS YOUR CHILD (OR A CHILD THAT YOU PERSONALLY KNOW, A RELATIVE OR ONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, ) HAD (OR DO THEY CURRENTLY HAVE) CANCER? My daughter was diagnosed Jan 5, 2009 at age 4 with Stage IV high risk Neuroblastoma and has been given a 30% chance of survival. We have spent more days in the hospital this past year than our home. She has been though 8 rounds of chemo, 3 surgeries, 2 stem cell transplants, 12 rounds of radiation and is in a brutal clinical trial at this time. She has never one time complained... WHAT KIND OF
WHY IS SIGNING THIS PETITION IMPORTANT TO YOU? There is virtually no money for pediatric caner (only 3% from American Cancer Society). Our kids deserve a chance at a life. WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND THAT MONEY RAISED FROM THE STAMP BE DIRECTED? The Children's Oncology Group (COG)to fund research
my running buddy and friend's son has stage 4 neuroblastoma, another friend has a 14 year old with two brain tumors, and my best friend's husband died of lung cancer as the result of treatment for Hodgkin's when he was a child. My daughter has the jewelry box of a little girl who died of cancer that my mother knew.
We need to look more into the causes of child hood cancers, as both a means to prevent them and also to understand how and why they originate in order to treat them because we so desperately need a cure. Childhood cancers are on the rise, and the role of a degraded environment is certainly a factor. Many potential cures live in sponges and corals in the ocean (scientists have discovered certain chemicals in a variety of them that hold promise for cancer treatment), but corals and sponges are dying at an alarming rate, and many are dying before they can even be researched. A healthy ocean environment holds much promise for future cancer cures. A healthy land and ocean environment keeps our kids--and us--healthy.
My 3 year old friend, Charlie was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma on 12/24/09.
This action is important to me because it will raise awareness. Money from the proceeds of this stamp should be used to find a cure for Neuroblastoma. Currently only 1% of money raised for cancer research goes to NB. I want to see that change.
YES
In my 36 years of life, I have known and seen far too many children afflicted with cancer-and quite frankly, I've had enough. I wish that I had the ability and the smarts to find a cure myself so that parents should not have to go through watching their children deal with this illness no matter what the outcome. Enough is Enough! More needs to be done to put a stop to this!!!!!!!!!!!
Please put this money towards finding a cure for Neuroblastoma....
Let's raise money to save our children!!
The small one square mile Borough of Medford Lakes in NJ is currently assisting two families as they pray for their children to return to health. 8th grader Hunter Brooks and 3 year old Charlie Haughey are battling cancer as you read this. Medical science has worked so hard for the cure - please give them a pat on the back and offer a postage stamp to honor the brave children who suffer, their families and the great host of individuals who offer support.
This is important to all of us as every battle against cancer brings us closer to a cure. I would like the money earned from this postage stamp to go to a fund to continue research.
HAS YOUR CHILD (OR A CHILD THAT YOU PERSONALLY KNOW, A RELATIVE OR ONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, ) HAD (OR DO THEY CURRENTLY HAVE) CANCER? My 3 year old son was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma on Christmas Eve 2009. He turned 3 years old 3 days later. WHAT KIND OF
WHY IS SIGNING THIS PETITION IMPORTANT TO YOU? We need to raise awareness about pediatric cancers, we need to increase funding for research, we need to make strides in the right direction for our children and their families WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND THAT MONEY RAISED FROM THE STAMP BE DIRECTED? research for all forms of pediatric cancers. I'm partial to neuroblastoma.
My daughter was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor at the age of 13. After radiation and several months of hospitalizations Rian finally came home. She is 18 years old and is battling cancer yet agian. When does this stop? When can our precious children get a break?? We need a cure, and to find a cure, we need awareness!!!
My neice died at 18 and i went home with dying cancer patients for 15 years my prayers go out to all that must face this heartbreak
THe loss of a child is the worst of all tragedy no one should have to go through this and the government needs to notice children as thier future as well as ours
