Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2017

Childhood Cancer Society (CCS) began with the vision of a 7-year-old boy, Tommy Head, who realized the importance of having the support of family while being evaluated for childhood leukemia. This life changing experience at a young age was the impetus for later founding CSS.

Due to his condition, Tommy’s physical activities were limited for years. During this time, he found an outlet in acting. He was featured in numerous commercials, print ads, and appeared in several episodes of ABC’s One Life to Live and became a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). At 12 years old, he used the proceeds from his first commercial to make a donation of video game consoles at the hospital that cared for him during his health challenges, and noticed the impact that these pleasant distractions had on his pediatric peers. It was at that moment that Tommy knew he would be helping these families.

By 16, Tommy’s platelet count fully recovered, and given what felt like a second chance, he used money earned from acting to found Childhood Cancer Society a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. CCS provides funds for medical care, accommodations, and travel expenses to make it possible for families in need to obtain the necessary care for their children. Furthermore, CCS organizes special events and provides gifts to children with pediatric cancer. We believe that these events facilitate a positive state of mind and create an optimal environment for the body to heal. Recipients of our support are recommended to us via hospital social workers who keep an eye out for families who are in need of this support.