When a child gets cancer, life gets messy.
Childhood cancer is frightening, relentless, and life-changing. Family life quickly spirals out of control -- meals are sporadic, showers are put on the back burner, siblings have to accommodate busy and unpredictable schedules, and bills often go unpaid.
During this chaotic time, stability is key for families to survive and thrive. Finding that stability is difficult, but you can help!
The Pinky Swear Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its Cancer Is Messy campaign, a nationwide initiative aimed at raising awareness about the emotional, physical, and financial challenges families face when a child is diagnosed with cancer. This campaign encourages the public to support children with cancer and their families by getting involved in fun, creative, and impactful ways.
Cancer Is Messy features a variety of engagement activities, including messy challenges and social media campaigns to illustrate the unpredictable and difficult journey families face during pediatric cancer treatment. Funds raised from this campaign will go toward providing financial and emotional support to families for essential needs like groceries, transportation, and housing during treatment.
"Childhood cancer is not only a battle for the child but for the entire family," said Erica Campbell, Executive Director of Pinky Swear Foundation. "With this campaign, we hope to spread awareness and remind people that although cancer is messy, supporting these families does not have to be."
About Pinky Swear Foundation
"Mitch was nine years old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. In the hospital in December, he overheard the family next to him having a discussion that there would not be enough money for Christmas that year. Mitch looked at his dad and said, “This isn’t fair. How much money do I have in the bank?” Steve helped Mitch into his wheelchair and took him to the bank. Mitch withdrew all the money he had in his savings account and put it in envelopes for the kids on the pediatric oncology floor at the hospital. He signed each envelope, “Love Mitch. XOXO” Before nine-year-old Mitch Chepokas passed away, he made a pinky swear with his dad to continue to help children with cancer and their families. Since his death in 2003, the Pinky Swear community has carried on that promise by supporting kids with cancer and their families with housing, food, and transportation costs. By supporting families with everyday expenses, they can focus on what matters most - their child."
To learn more about how you can get involved in Cancer Is Messy and make a difference in the lives of children with cancer, visit the Pinky Swear Foundation website, or connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, or Tik Tok.
