St. Baldrick's fights childhood cancer

An estimated 15,780 children are diagnosed with cancer between the time they are born and the day they turn 19, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization. Of those children, 25 percent will not survive.

For a country so focused on the well-being of its youth, America does not seem concerned about the significant 29 percent rise in cancer among children and young adults over 20 short years.

Further, only 4 percent of the federal funding for cancer research goes to children's cancer grants, which would explain why there have been only three chemotherapy drugs created over 20 years to treat over a dozen types - and countless subtypes - of childhood cancers.

St. Baldrick's is the underdog of cancer research foundations. It is an amazing "kids" cancer research foundation that, unlike American Cancer Society which grants only one third of profits, grants 78 percent of the profits.

St. Baldrick's raises money by having "shavees" shave their heads to raise funds, as well as awareness. This is the best, most rewarding way to help the fight against childhood cancer research. To find an event near you, log onto stbaldricks.org.

Maggie Cipriano

Glen Ellyn