For families facing childhood cancer, gratitude can feel like a distant, out-of-reach feeling. The idea of “giving thanks” is clouded by the daily battle against cancer.
Gratitude and grief are not at odds.
Focusing on gratitude amid a difficult season, a cancer journey, or loss doesn’t mean you forget what you’re going through and what you have had to overcome. It doesn’t negate what you’ve lost. If anything, a sense of gratitude allows you to process grief in a stronger, more effective way than if you were to dwell on grief alone.
While we know it’s difficult for families of childhood cancer patients to find gratitude in these dark seasons, we do have a few things we know we’re thankful for in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Our doctors, nurses, and care teams are the real MVPs. Caring for children with cancer is a high and difficult calling. We’re grateful for the tireless hours, the late nights, the small acts of comfort and kindness, and the relationships that these medical caregivers give to our children.
While there are frustrations and problems within modern medicine, we can’t help but marvel at the advancements that have made cancer treatment more effective. In the 1970s, the 5-year survival rate for childhood cancer was just 58%. Today, that rate has grown to 84%.
Not only are these statistics indicators of the improvement of medicine and technology, but childhood cancer care has expanded to include supportive follow-up and survivorship care that creates better outcomes by treating the whole child – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Even though childhood cancer research is federally underfunded, there are many dedicated foundations, hospitals, and private groups that donate and fundraise to aid both research and individual family costs. St. Jude , for example, sees its fundraising arm (ALSAC) raising some $750 million each year to fund childhood cancer research.
That’s not accounting for the many charitable organizations and individuals who come together to donate each year. This year, we’re grateful for givers, big and small.
Cancer isn’t one child’s fight – it’s the fight of the whole community. We are grateful for friends, families, neighbors, and whole communities who rally around kids with cancer – providing physical, financial, practical, and emotional support during these trying times. No family and no child should go through cancer alone.
Modern technology and the connectivity it offers have been indispensable for today’s cancer patients, particularly in the COVID age. Not only do our digital ties allow children to live a life beyond hospital walls and isolation through gaming and online socialization, but our connective technology makes it easier and faster to share valuable research data, consult with a variety of doctors, identify and contact key donors, and beyond. This pooling of resources is key in providing the best support and care possible for pediatric cancer patients.
Although it is disheartening to know that childhood cancer cases have been on the rise, we’re encouraged by modern statistics that demonstrate that children in high-income countries have an 80% chance of beating and surviving a cancer diagnosis. We may have a long way to go, but there is comfort in knowing that doctors and care teams have a wider arsenal of treatment plans, greater knowledge in treating rarer cancers and that cancer is very much treatable and beatable.
Who are we most grateful for?
The kids with cancer. The cancer survivors. Children with cancer are the bravest on the planet. They face so much – the fear of the unknown, utterly unique and challenging life changes, and the lifelong impact of their diagnosis and treatment. These kids don’t give up – they put up a fight! We’re grateful for the legacy childhood cancer survivors to leave behind.
They show us and other pediatric cancer patients that there is hope, there is life beyond cancer, and that life can be beautiful, fulfilling, and rich. Their stories are stark reminders of the power of community, modern care teams, families, and the kids themselves.
While it may be difficult to give thanks amid a cancer fight, we know that we can look to the goodness it brings out in the people around us. Despite it all, there is reason to have gratitude.