In recognition of September as Childhood Cancer, Sickle Cell Disease, Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) and Histiocytosis Awareness Month, The Periwinkle Foundation is launching a month-long series of stories, articles, engagement opportunities and posts. Follow along on Periwinkle’s Facebook and Instagram for daily features highlighting these life-threatening illnesses and the ways in which Periwinkle provides a community of healing for children and families cared for at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers.

What is Childhood Cancer?

According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 11,050 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed among children in the United States this year. Over 4,000 of those cases will be diagnosed at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers, one of the largest pediatric cancer and hematology centers in the United States.  Since 1954, when only one in 10 children with cancer survived, Texas Children’s Cancer Center has made considerable progress in improving outcomes, and today more than 80 percent of children who are diagnosed with cancer will be cured.

The most common types of cancer diagnosed in children ages 0 to 14 years are leukemias, brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and lymphomas. This list by Texas Children’s Cancer Center shares the numerous services the center provides to children and families, including families from all 50 states and 56 other countries.

In this video spotlight, Dr. Susan Blaney, director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers, shares how Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology teams are advancing science and research every day to find cures and give hope to the many patients and families they serve.

To learn more about childhood cancer, treatment, and research, browse these resources provided by Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers:

• Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers By the Numbers
• Cancer and Blood Disorder Research
• Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers Long Term Survivor Program

Patients and families at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers are connected to the Periwinkle community of healing through a series of year-round Periwinkle camps, the Periwinkle Arts In Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers, and the Periwinkle adult Long Term Survivor program.