Funding for cancer research exemplifies this fact: a recent study revealed that pediatric AIDS research garners more funds than cancer research, although the incidence of childhood cancer is fifteen times greater than that of pediatric AIDS. Research is crucial to treatment of the disease, as demonstrated by the current cure rate of approximately 60-70% for most forms of pediatric cancer, a rate that can be attributed solely to research advances. Research enables doctors to gauge the risk of each patient’s cancer and thus design the least toxic treatment program, as well as helping oncologists to surmount the increasing incidence of multi-drug resistance. Funding for research also permits oncologists to explore the genetic foundations of the disease and the cellular mechanisms that may trigger the expression of oncogenes that activate the formation of tumors.

The necessity for greater funding of research efforts is perhaps the most visible need of childhood cancer patients, but other non-medical needs abound. Exhausting burdens fall on the families of these children, as many families encounter steep transportation expenses which, unlike most medical expenses, are not covered by health insurance. Needs also range to the mundane and can be as simple as small bags of essentials for parents whose child has been admitted to the hospital; they may need phone cards, quarters for laundry machines, and other items. Moreover, siblings of childhood cancer patients face unique emotional issues which many cancer support groups have begun to identify, establishing counseling programs and summer camps designed specifically for siblings. Finally, volunteers play an essential role in helping patients and their families by reading to kids, playing games with them, or babysitting children to allow parents some much-needed time off.

The 12,000 children every year who are diagnosed with some form of cancer thus present a variety of medical and non-medical needs. Many organizations have assumed responsibility for meeting these needs, but the public must become more aware of the necessity for increased research funding and the demand for volunteers, such that children and their families are no longer powerless in their fight against cancer.