American Childhood Cancer Organization-Utah

“We go GOLD, do you?”

 

The American Childhood Cancer Organization’s (ACCO) mission is to provide information and support for children and adolescents with cancer and their families, to provide grassroots leadership through advocacy and awareness, and to support research leading to a cure for ALL children diagnosed with this life-threatening disease.

Today, 46 children will be diagnosed with some form of cancer.  Cancer in children does NOT discriminate.  Cancer doesn’t care if they are still developing in the womb or getting ready to receive their high school diploma. When it rears its ugly head, families are thrown into a foreign world.  The children are getting poked and prodded and parents are learning the lingo so they can make the best treatment decision possible.  It is scary for all involved.

ACCO has developed materials to help families navigate the journey.  Their mascot, Cozy, is given to newly diagnosed children to give them a buddy to cling to.  Because children spend so much of their time in the hospital, other fun activities are given: playing cards, coloring books, and their own pillow case which helps ease the boredom of the hospital room.  For parents, there are journals to document information, books to help explain the cancers and how treatments came about, and guides to help educate the child with cancer.  And finally, a duffle bag is given.  Every parent will soon learn that you can be admitted to the hospital in a blink of an eye and having a bag that you can keep “ready” is invaluable.

We go GOLD because gold is a precious metal and children are the most precious commodities in our life.  GOLD represents the 12 different, most common, childhood cancers.  We stand together, united to fight this monster.  Every child, every cancer needs an advocate to find cures.  Stand with us.  Donate to the ACCO-Utah chapter.  Help us get materials to the families whose world just came crashing down.  Help us give them HOPE.

 

“We go GOLD, will you?”