By Maddy Buffardi
Student Life Editor

This month is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Every year 10,400 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer and every day four children will die from cancer. Although these are sad statistics, the word needs to be spread in order to search for the cure.

Childhood cancer has multiple differences in comparison to adult cancer. Such as, childhood cancer often the result of changes in cell DNA which happens early in life, before a child is even born. Unlike adult cancer childhood cancer is not strongly linked to lifestyle or environment.

Multiple events took place this month in honor of childhood cancer awareness. Fundraising runs and walks, and donations being collected at local hospitals. The Four Seasons Parkway Run/Walk sponsored by The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania raised over $4 million for childhood cancer research on Sunday Sept 30. Over 7,000 people participated.

Many Neshaminy students participate in the race/walk in honor of Leah Chapman, a former Neshaminy student who passed away from leukemia. About 150 people participated in the race/walk as a part of “Team Chappy.” Team Chappy raised $32,000 collectively.”It’s fun to go down to Philadelphia to fundraise for childhood cancer research,” Leah’s younger brother, sophomore Eric Chapman said.

Besides the walk there are other events that many Nehsmainy students take part in to raise money for research and promote awareness of childhood cancer. One other event that many students take part in is Alex’s Lemonade stand. Neshaminy sophomore Riley Gillespie and his mom run the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Car Wash at Maple Point.

Sites where you can donate and get invovled:
https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/index?gclid=CJaF_Y_v5LICFQqk4AodVREAxQ
https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14182&pID=23290&abtest=34&abtestalt=122
http://www.fastercure.org/contribute-to-a-cure/