Statistics

In 2024, it is expected that more than 17,000 families will hear the words, “Your child has cancer” That translates to approximately 46 families a day.

Cancer continues to be the #1 cause of disease-related death for children.

Today, treatment advancements have increased the survival rate to 85%, when averaging all pediatric cancers. In 1975, overall survival rates for children and adolescents (5 years after diagnosis) was about 50%.

More common cancers like leukemia have survival rates of over 90%, but in others, like Ewing Sarcoma, the survival rate drops closer to 65% and for a brain cancer known as diffuse midline gliomas (or DIPG) the survival rate is essentially 0%.

Approximately 1 in 260 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.

There are approximately 40,000 children and adolescents treated for cancer each year.

Before 2021, only 4% of the federal cancer research budget was allocated specifically to pediatric cancer. While more recent evaluations have identified that percentage as closer to 8% due to broader definitions and more overall funding between 2022-2024, there is still a desperate need for increased funding.

Pediatric oncologists and researchers experience firsthand how the lack of federal research dollars stifles momentum in pediatric cancer research and drug development.

Treatments for children with cancer, especially for those with sarcomas and brain cancer, lag nearly two decades behind their adult counterparts. Promising research continues to be developed through clinical trials. 2 

Pharmaceutical companies see even less incentive to invest in the research needed to test experimental therapies in children because of the small patient population.

Pediatric Cancer researchers must rely on corporate or private foundations, like the Children’s Cancer Foundation, for funding their research.

Common adult cancers (lung, breast, colon, and others) rarely occur in children or adolescents.

Childhood cancers tend to be more aggressive than adult cancers.

Some cancers, like osteosarcoma that adolescents develop, are remarkably similar to the osteosaroma that dogs develop.

Childhood cancers are predominantly due to genetic changes of a largely unknown reason. Inheritance and environmental causes have not been identified for most childhood cancers, and therefore are largely not preventable.3

Late Effects are health problems that occur later in life following cancer treatments that harms the growing body’s organs, tissues and bones 1

Nearly 60% of pediatric cancer survivors experience severe complications in adulthood

Late Effects can include fertility problems, secondary cancers, and increased risk of other health problems such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

One in four families lose more than 40% of their annual household income as a result of childhood cancer treatment

Parents and siblings have reported PTSD and other psychological impacts from the cancer treatment process.