- What is Kids Cancer Crusade and how did it get its name?
- My child has been diagnosed with cancer, how do we join and how long can my family participate?
- Can my child be listed on the website without receiving Care Packages?
- My child has been recently diagnosed and I am looking for other families going through the same thing. Can you help?
- Is there a list of the children's birthdays?
- Where can I find out how the children are doing?
- I want to help, what can I do?
- Are my donations tax-deductible?
- I have another question, how can I ask?
Kids Cancer Crusade was created by Jennifer Lehmann in April 2006, as a means of networking families of children with cancer in an effort to show them they were not alone. A young family friend, named Christi Thomas, had been battling Neuroblastoma, but was known to say "I'm not sick, I just have cancer" as she visited the other children on the oncology floor to brighten their day. As the directory of children grew, inspired by Christi's heart, Jennifer felt the need to do something more. In 2007, Care Package programs began. These Care Packages give the children something to look forward to and perhaps just for a moment forget about the needles, scans and medicines while sticking to the original purpose of showing them they are not alone. During this time, Jennifer sought assistance in filing government documents for Kids Cancer Crusade as well as volunteers to host various drives and fund-raisers to keep the Crusade going. In December 2007 Kids Cancer Crusade was determined a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Aside from the fun alliteration, the name Kids Cancer Crusade stemmed from the idea that many parents of children with cancer refer to their fight as a "war" and often call the children "little soldiers".
MY CHILD HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, HOW DO WE JOIN AND HOW LONG CAN MY FAMILY PARTICIPATE?
We would love your family to join. To do so, please complete the following application.
http://kidscancercrusade.org/Application_2010.doc
There is no limit to joining our network as long as the patient was younger than 20 at diagnosis. Your family can receive care packages until the diagnosed child's 20th birthday. However, siblings may only be included in care packages until age 20 as well. We currently have packages available for new families, relapse, transplant, completing treatment and for the family if a child should pass away. *If participating in Care Package programs, it is important for you to notify us if your mailing address should change.*
To learn about our Care Packages and other programs, please visit the following link.
http://www.kidscancercrusade.org/programs.htm
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CAN MY CHILD BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE WITHOUT RECEIVING CARE PACKAGES?
Absolutely. This is 100% up to each individual family and what works for them. You can also do the reverse - receive care packages without being listed on the website.
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MY CHILD HAS RECENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSED AND I AM LOOKING FOR OTHER FAMILIES GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. CAN YOU HELP?
That is why we are here! Each child that we serve is listed (with parent/guardian permission) through the links on the following page in a few different ways:
http://www.kidscancercrusade.org/thekids.htm
There you can search for another child by location or by the specific diagnosis. Click on each child's picture to visit their personal website. If the child's picture is not linked, they do not have a website. In this case, email us and we will do our best to get you in contact with that family through email.
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IS THERE A LIST OF THE CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAYS?
Yes, and the children love getting birthday messages on their websites! Don't forget siblings!
http://www.kidscancercrusade.org/importantdates.htm
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WHERE CAN I FOUND OUT HOW THE CHILDREN ARE DOING?
We have a few volunteers that spend a great deal of time keeping the following page current with each child's progress. It is a great reference to know when especially to send the children and their families words of encouragement or congratulations.
http://www.kidscancercrusade.org/updates.htm
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I WANT TO HELP, WHAT CAN I DO?
We run completely on the wonderful kindness and support of many individuals. A few ideas are listed on the following page, but the possibilities are endless!
http://www.kidscancercrusade.org/howtohelp.htm
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ARE MY DONATIONS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes! We are now an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible.
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I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION, HOW CAN I ASK?
Feel free to send an email to info@kidscancercrusade.org with any other questions!
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