By: Trish Adkins
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It is a month when we honor children with cancer, children who have survived cancer and the children who have died from cancer. It is a month of “Going Gold,” and working to ensure that childhood cancer is spotlighted.
At Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is about more than awareness—it is about action. Our founder, Alex Scott, left us a legacy of working together, contributing what we could and knowing that no matter who we are or what our contribution is, we can make a difference.
This September, for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, join ALSF and let’s Go Gold for kids with cancer.
Here are 9 ways to Go Gold:
1. Learn about the Gold Ribbon
A group of parents picked gold as the official color for the childhood cancer awareness ribbon. The color gold symbolizes how precious children are and the resiliency of childhood cancer heroes. Unlike other awareness ribbons that symbolize one specific disease, the childhood cancer ribbon stands for dozens of diseases. You can learn more about the different types of childhood cancer, including brain tumors, leukemia and other solid tumors like neuroblastoma here.
2. Be Bold and Share
All month long, share childhood cancer facts, inspirational hero stories plus research news and updates. Here are some great pieces to share:
• Childhood Cancer Facts — share our infographic and childhood cancer facts all month long.
• Hero Stories — Read and share stories of our heroes — children fighting cancer and their siblings, our SuperSibs!
• Research Stories — Read through our blog and learn more about the innovative research that is getting us closer to cures.
3. Turn Your Social Media Gold
Turning your social media gold is easy! Check out these great social media resources for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. And share the Gold Ribbon graphic as well as facts about childhood cancer along with your personal reasons why you are going gold for kids in September.
4. Make Your Miles Count
Join The Million Mile and make your miles count all September long. From the casual walker to the active cyclist, anyone can participate in this month-long, grassroots challenge by tracking miles and raising money to help kids fight cancer. You can join a team or create your own (it just takes a couple minutes!). Then track your miles and raise funds all September long!
5. Gold Your Gear
Put your DIY hat on and grab a gold permanent marker and gold ribbons. Then, decorate your sneakers, your bike helmet, t-shirts and other gear. When the world sees that you are going gold, they will be inspired to join the cause too!
6. Dress the Part
If DIY is not your style, head to Alex’s Shop for all the best Go Gold and childhood cancer awareness gear. From t-shirts to car magnets to super adorable tote bags, we’ve got everything you need to Go Gold in style!
7. Read the Book
One great way to raise awareness is to share the story of our founder, Alex Scott. Alex was just 4 years old when she held her first lemonade stand and created a movement to cure childhood cancer. Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand tells her story and is the perfect book to share with everyone in your life! Donate a book to your school library or offer to read at storytime!
8. Join the One Cup at a Time Club
Want a super-easy way to make an impact? Make a donation and sign up for our One Cup at a Time Club! Whether it is $5, $50 or $500, every donation adds up to a cure for childhood cancer.
9. Zoom Your Awareness
We are all on more video calls these days! Check out our new ALSF Zoom Backgrounds! Download from our website, upload to your Zoom or other video conferencing platform and Go Gold, one video call at a time.
Thank you for being bold and going gold with us, one cup at a time!
Updated August 2022
