The author has brain cancer at age 20 and criticizes the National Cancer Institute for not allocating more funding to cure childhood cancers. The author argues that childhood is meant for innocence and carefreeness, not sickness, and that the 2,500 children who die each year in the US deserve to have their childhoods back. While the public sees childhood cancer as largely solved, progress has stagnated due to funding gaps, with the NCI dedicating only 3.8% of its budget to curing childhood cancers. The author calls the reader to action to provide more support and prevent killing off another generation of children.

1. What did the National Cancer Institute Steal from me?
SEPTEMBER IS CHILDHOOD CANCERAWARENESS MONTH
I have brain cancer.It started 14 months ago. I am 20 now. Is anyone looking for a cure?!
I've always been one to find joy in the laughter of children. The way their eyes gleam with
excitement in the little things. Eating ice cream and riding their bikes. Being innocent and
carefree. Justbeing a kid. Childhood is the the golden time of life. How would you like to go
back to having no responsibility? How would you like to be showered with unrequited love
every day? These are the years to treasure.
People say I am for fighting for my life at such a "young age". Maybe, but what about the
younger kids, when they do not understand what the hell is going on! The kids who have
only known hospital rooms and sickness. Childhood cancerto me is the most tragic thing a
parent and a child could experience.The boys and girls who do not know what is to have a
normal childhood are the brave ones. They are absolute HEROES!!!!! They do not completely
understand what the doctors say and yet they never lose that innocent gleam in their eye.
Their giggles still fill pediatric hospitals and perfectly sanitized homes.They know nothing
but kindness and courage.
We need to find a cure to give these kids and future childhood cancerpatients their
childhood back. Many kids are still dying because progress has been stagnant for the last 10
years due to major funding gaps. Meanwhile, the public considers childhood cancer as a
largely solved problem and this is far from reality. We are killing off 2,500 kids a yearin this
country. DO YOU ACCEPT THAT? How do you feel that that taxpayer funded National
Cancer Institute gives a measly 3.8 percent of their budget to cure childhood cancer. NOW,
I CALL YOU TO ACTION!! Stay quiet and you will be endorsing the National Cancer
Institute's effort to kill off another generation of our kids!!
For more information please visit: http://www.connect4cancer.org/.