By: Kristina Andrews

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, which was started in 2012 by then president, Barack Obama to raise awareness for childhood cancer. (US.gov) The month has been tradition since, and during September many charitable events are hosted to increase awareness and funding for the prevention and treatment of Pediatric cancers. Pediatric cancer is a largely underfunded cause, most funds for cancer research go towards cancers that impact adults and the elderly. Only four percent of government funding goes to pediatric oncology, and cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children (National Pediatric Cancer Foundation)

September is also Suicide Prevention Month, and during this time it is important to highlight the significance of mental health and the affects of suicide on society as a whole. As of today, suicide is the seventeenth leading cause of death worldwide. (Source: World Health Organization). During September, allies and people affected by suicide come together to raise awareness and for prevention of suicide. From the 5-11 of September is Suicide Prevention Week, and the week exists to help destigmatize suicide and raise awareness and support for survivors of attempted suicide and people struggling with mental health, all surrounding Suicide Awareness Day on the tenth.

 For more information, please visit:

For Pediatric Cancer:

https://nationalpcf.org/

https://nationalpcf.org/

For Suicide Prevention:

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/

https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-awareness-month