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CAC2 Member Blog–Excited to Announce: I’ve Joined the CAC2 Innovation Council!

February 5, 2025
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By CAC2 Member Annette Logan-Parker (Cure 4 The Kids Foundation)  I am thrilled to share that I have joined the CAC2 Innovation Council, a new volunteer opportunity. The Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) is a collaborative network of nonprofits, corporations, and individuals from 41 states and nine countries supporting and serving the childhood cancer community. CAC2 members effectively advance various childhood cancer causes by unifying their efforts. As a member of this council, I have the privilege of contributing to a collective effort to evaluate and prioritize opportunities that benefit the CAC2 members. This role involves engaging with a variety […]

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Member Blog–When the National Drug Shortage Becomes Personal

December 5, 2024
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By CAC2 Individual Member Jennifer Flowers Rhabdomyosarcoma became a common word in my family when I was three years old. By the time of diagnosis, the cancer had metastasized from the middle ear into the mastoid and eustachian tube. The University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital oncology team told my parents there was less than a three percent chance for me to live out the year. There was no definitive treatment protocol to defeat this rare form of cancer, and the survival rate was extremely low. Over the next two and a half years, I underwent surgeries, full head […]

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Reflections from International Cancer Week 2024: A Renewed Commitment to the Fight Against Cancer

November 18, 2024
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By CAC2 Student Member Joshua Omale Attending the 2024 International Cancer Week, organized by Nigeria’s National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), was indeed a great a experience – one that I won’t forget soon. Under the theme “Accelerating Nigeria’s Path to Comprehensive Cancer Control: Innovation, Access, and Partnership,” the event brought together voices from all corners of cancer care, all driven by a shared mission to tackle cancer across Nigeria and beyond. It was both a learning experience and a reminder of the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing the fight against cancer. The discussions were powerful as […]

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CAC2 Member Blog–Wisconsin Pediatric Cancer Action Plan Published!

August 29, 2024
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By CAC2 Member Autumn Gentry, MACC Fund This collaborative state advocacy effort was due to the dedicated work of a pair of CAC2 members in Wisconsin building on the work that came together from other CAC2 members’ efforts.  We love to celebrate when our members work together!  I have been developing an advocacy arm for the MACC Fund with no formal experience or training, relying only on my personal connection to childhood cancer. I’ve noticed a pattern in getting things done: Start with an informed idea. Take a step forward. Listen for feedback. Connect with the right people. Repeat, one […]

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CAC2 Member Blog–Empowering Communities: Driving Childhood Cancer Awareness from the Grassroots

June 10, 2024
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By CAC2 Student Member Joshua Omale In the heart of advocacy, the rhythm of change reverberates most profoundly at the grassroots level. For me, this journey isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about igniting hope, one person and one community at a time. As a passionate advocate for childhood cancer awareness, my path has been shaped by stories I have heard that reflect resilience, bonds of  solidarity, and a relentless pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. In this deeply personal reflection, I invite you to  explore the transformative power of community-driven initiatives in the fight against childhood cancer with me. Grassroots […]

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CAC2 Member Blog–I Am Not A Miracle

June 2, 2024
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By CAC2 Member Steven Giallourakis (The Steven G. Cancer Foundation) When someone has succeeded in life, we tend to think of them as successful. That they have earned the life they have. This might be partially true, hard work does pay off. Yet when we look at someone’s success we tend to gloss over all the luck. If we are talking about business success and the accumulation of wealth, being born in the United States of America is the best roll of the dice you can have. Being born to parents who love you, who support you and can help […]

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CAC2 Member Blog–Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (AKACA) Gains Traction in Congress and Needs Your Help!

May 28, 2024
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By CAC2 Member Matt Marks (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) State borders shouldn’t be barriers to treatment for children with cancer or other complex illnesses. Yet all too often, they cause challenges—or even treatment delays—for children and their families who rely on Medicaid or CHIP for their health insurance. That’s why I encourage our community to champion the bipartisan Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (AKACA).  This bill would reduce the paperwork required of doctors treating children from out-of-state, so that children can receive the care they need faster and with fewer delays. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce […]

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CAC2 Member Blog–Perhaps one day, we can all say hello to the cure. ~The Meo Family

May 27, 2024
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By CAC2 Member Matt Meo (Hello Cure) Our family is yet another childhood cancer family. Our son, Landon Meo, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma on March 25th, 2021 and passed away on December 17, 2022 at the age of 10 and 1/2. Landon always said his wish is that “no kid EVER” have cancer. Like many parents, we found ourselves asking, “What can we do to help?” We frequently saw parents share their child’s story on Facebook and Instagram pages. Many had thousands of followers. Even the ones with smaller followings had a circle of people who genuinely cared about them.  […]

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CAC2 Member Blog–Embracing Resilience: Navigating Childhood Cancer Advocacy in Nigeria

April 20, 2024
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By CAC2 Student Member Joshua Omale As I reflect on my journey as a childhood cancer advocate here in Nigeria, I’m continually reminded of the profound resilience ingrained within the fabric of our communities. It’s a resilience born not just of strength, but of necessity, as we confront the daunting challenges that childhood cancer presents. In the heart of Nigeria, where resources are often scarce and access to healthcare is a privilege rather than a right, our advocacy takes on a deeper significance. It becomes a lifeline for families grappling with the emotional and financial burdens of a cancer diagnosis, […]

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CAC2 Member Blog–Joseph’s Legacy: A Personal Odyssey in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer

January 6, 2024
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By CAC2 Student Member Joshua Omale   In the hushed corridors of my memories, Joseph's laughter remains a poignant melody, forever intertwined with the tale of his unwavering courage in the face of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. A journey that began with a misdiagnosis, the local hospital here initially labeled his symptoms as malaria, an oversight that cast a shadow over the critical early stages of his battle. It wasn't until we sought refuge in the halls of a larger hospital in another city that the cruel reality unveiled itself – Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a formidable adversary masked in the guise of a [...] Read more
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