#1 Cause of Death by Disease for Children
“Your child has cancer.” Every two minutes, a parent somewhere in the world hears these devasting words.
285
One in 285 children
in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they are 20 years old.
12
12% of children
who are diagnosed with cancer do not survive.
60
60% of children
who survive suffer devastating late effects such as secondary cancers, muscular difficulties and infertility.
4
Only 4 percent
of annual National Cancer Institute funding goes to childhood cancer.
Childhood cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded.
Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 19 in the U.S.
Childhood cancer is not just one disease. It is made up of 12 major types and over 100 subtypes.
Every year, an estimated 250,000+ new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide.
Because of major treatment advances in recent decades, more than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more.
Sadly, the survival rate is much less for rare childhood cancers.
There are approximately 375,000 adult survivors of children’s cancer in the United States.
1980
Since 1980, fewer than 10 drugs have been developed for use in children with cancer.
Only three drugs have been approved for use in children. Only four additional new drugs have been approved for use by both adults and children.
The average cost of a stay in a hospital for a child with cancer is $40,000.
Sources:
www.jimmyv.org/research/cancer-facts
give.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/
cannonballkidscancer.org
www.alexslemonade.org
Our Partners

UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco is a world leader in health care, renowned for its innovation, technology and compassionate care. Today, it is one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation. Their expertise covers virtually all pediatric conditions, including cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, organ transplants and orthopedics as well care of critically ill newborns.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano with one goal in mind: to achieve victory over cancer. Since its start in 1993, the V Foundation has awarded over $200 million in cancer research grants nationwide and has grown to become one of the premier supporters of cutting-edge cancer research funds.
Yes – We can change the outcome for kids fighting cancer!
In the last 40 years, the survival rate for children’s cancer has increased from 10% to nearly 90% today.
With your help we can make a real difference in the lives of so many children.