More than 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year with the average age of a child who is diagnosed just six years old. Your Lions club can help children with cancer and their families by hosting a project to support them in your community. Here are 15 great ways to help those impacted survive and thrive:
- Raise club awareness about childhood cancer by holding an educational talk with a healthcare professional or public health official at your club or district meeting or related events.
- Prepare healthy meals for families with children undergoing treatment. This can be done in collaboration with other community members to ensure the family receives food on a regular basis.
- Collect recyclable materials and donate the profits to a childhood cancer organization.
- Write cards with well-wishes and share them with a local cancer center.
- Donate financial support or gift cards to families in need or a nearby childhood cancer center. This could cover expenses like gasoline, parking, food, medical expenses, etc.
- Make or buy new hats, caps, head scarves or blankets to donate to childhood cancer centers.
- Organize a community drive to assemble a toy library for patients to enjoy.
- Participate in a blood donation or bone marrow registry event to benefit cancer treatment.
- Provide tutoring services to children with cancer or their siblings, or adult learning opportunities for parents.
- Organize an event with a cancer support center to have family photographs taken.
- Visit a local hospital or treatment center for children with cancer and read stories to them, play games or spend time with the siblings of patients.
- Provide funding support for essential medicines and supportive services. Crucial medical needs could include chemotherapy supplies, nutritional supplements, medical equipment, essential staff, etc.
- Organize a community childhood cancer awareness event like a walk/run event or pamphlet distribution.
- Acquire and equip vehicles for the transportation of patients and family members commuting to and from the hospital.
- Make yarn character wigs (example: Superhero, princess) for children with cancer.
The Service Project Ideas Lists on the childhood cancer page gives you a complete list of ways that your club can make a difference in the lives of children with cancer and their families.
Morgan Croft-Schornak is the program development and analysis specialist for the Program Development Department at Lions Clubs International.
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