In 2008 alone, approximately 10,000 children were diagnosed with cancer. The leading cause of death among children, childhood cancer can strike any time, any place and tear an entire family’s world apart.

During September, which is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we can help raise awareness and take action to fight childhood cancer so that one day it may not be such a prevalent devastating occurrence among children and their families. Here are a few things you can do to help out.

Wear a Gold Ribbon

As you know, many diseases have a ribbon associated with them. People who wear the ribbon are standing in solidarity with the victims of that particular disease. The color of the ribbon for childhood cancer is gold. Pin a gold ribbon on your shirt each day this month and explain to people who ask about why you are wearing it. Help spread the word about childhood cancer in this very simple way.

Volunteer

Seek out your local hospital or hospice and find out what you can do to help the kids in the sick ward. Explain that you heard that it’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and you want to help out. Maybe you could read to sick children, make them laugh, or even simply keep them company.

Ask Your School, Work, or Church to Help Out

Whether it’s a school, organization, or work place, you can make it a zone of awareness and aid. See if you can put out a donation box to raise funds for the cancer organization of your choice (such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand or the Pediatric Cancer Foundation). Maybe they will let you give a presentation, organize a volunteer event, hand out flyers or ribbons, or do any other activity that might help out.

Support Healthy Nutrition

Ask your school’s cafeteria to serve fresh fruits and vegetables and to support a cancer-fighting diet. Be sure to do the same at home.

Spread Truth to Children

Many children can get scared about having a friend or classmate who has cancer. Volunteer to read stories about children with cancer or give a talk to help ease their minds—and to help empower them to be strong and helpful friends. Be sure to explain that cancer is not contagious.

Raise Funds for Cancer

Use the list of organizations above to find one you support, or hold your own lemonade stand like Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Hold a car wash (or a dog wash!), a talent competition, a rummage or bake sale—anything that could help raise funds for research, care baskets, teddy bears, volunteers, advocacy or other needs.

Write to Raise Awareness

See if your local newspaper will run a story about childhood cancer—or write your own letter to the editor. You could also call in to the local radio show.