Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. If the spread is not controlled, it can result in death. Cancer is caused by both external and internal factors, and these factors act together or in sequence to initiate or promote the development of cancer.
- Every day in the United States, 47 children, ages 0-19, are diagnosed with cancer
- Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy for U.S. children
- One in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they are 20 years old
- Every year, an estimated 400,000+ new cases of cancer affect children worldwide. That's over 1,000 new kids affected every day
- Survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer
- Childhood cancer survivors are twice as likely to suffer chronic health conditions
The main reason for listing the previous facts is to emphasize the importance of this fact: ALL types of childhood cancers combined receive only 4% of the U.S. federal funding for cancer research.
Each year in the U.S., the parents of more than 15,000 children age 0-19 will hear the words "your child has cancer". The number of diagnosed cases annually has not declined in nearly 20 years.
Little Eric's Foundation will continue its mission to fund and raise awareness for pediatric brain and childhood cancer research until no child ever has to worry about losing their childhood or their life to cancer.