What will YOU do?

September is right around the corner and that means many things...back to school, the return of Friday night lights and football, the promise of cooler weather...but September means something very different to my family and to many other families around the world.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

We all know that October brings an influx of pink ribbons on everything from billboards to bags of dog food...but where was the pomp and circumstance for September? Where were the ribbons? Where were the three day walks? Where were the fundraisers and celebrity endorsements? Wait...what color are the ribbons supposed to be, anyway?

Laurie posted some very sobering facts on Neuroblastoma and childhood cancer on the JMF blog...very sobering. But at the same time these statistics light a fire inside of me...I want to do more. I want people to know about this quiet monster. I want to do everything I can to raise awareness. And you can help, too!!

Awareness is the KEY. You see...awareness leads to fundraising and fundraising leads to money for research and more money for research will lead us to a CURE. Without awareness, these statistics will only get bleaker.

What can you do? Well, I'll tell you! Simply wearing your GOLD ribbon on your lapel is a wonderful start. Want one for free?? Comment below or email me at stacey@sassytoppers.com. Then tell people what it represents! Tell them about the shocking statistics. Tell them about the kids. Ask if they'd like a ribbon as well, and send them my way. Second...start with your community. Perhaps you could hold a neighborhood garage sale and have a portion or all of the proceeds sent to your favorite childhood cancer organization...or donate them to MY personal favorite, The Jack Morton Foundation. Donations made to the JMF will be tax deductable (JMF will be receiving their 501c.3 status in a matter of days) and in turn be donated to the amazing Phoenix Childrens Hospital to be earmarked for Neuroblastoma research. The JMF also plans to financially sponsor families suffering through the same nightmare that the Morton family endured. Want another idea?? Are you a football family? Approach the football team with the idea of wearing gold bands on their arms, gold awareness ribbon stickers on their helmets and gold leg wraps for their September games. As well as a portion of the home game gate fees going to charity, the cheerleaders could come into the stands with buckets to collect twice during every home game and at the end of the month, donate their earnings! I personally know of a Texas high school that did this for another charity and raised over $10k in ONE month of home games!! That's amazing! Or make it a contest between several schools...the winner receives the gratification of knowing that they did something that truly mattered to countless children and their families. Another idea?? Get your local news involved! We all know that local news stations are always asking for community involvement and story ideas. Ask them to spotlight a different local child per week who is suffering from cancer, you will bring attention to that families plight at the same time spreading awareness of how people can help and where to donate.

Another community idea?? There are several chain restaurants that participate in charity nights...Chili's, Dave and Busters, Sweet Tomatoes, just to name a few. Perhaps you could phone YOUR local favorite restaurant and see if they would host a charity night in September benefitting the JMF.

The ideas are endless...church ice cream socials or pancake breakfasts, lemonade stands, save your change for the entire month and donate the jar...

It all starts with awareness and it can all start with YOU.

If you'd like to help, please visit the link below or email me.

www.thejackmortonfoundation.org
stacey@sassytoppers.com