Aaron Horn of the Cedar Rapids Noon Lions Club lost his son, Eli, to childhood cancer when Eli was 8 years old. He helped form an organization called Beat Cancer to support local families facing the emotional stress and financial burden of living with childhood cancer.
Through Beat Cancer, he connected with the Lions when they asked him to speak at their meeting. From there, he became a Lion and started speaking at state conventions. He was invited to speak at the USA/Canada Leadership forum to talk about childhood cancer as one of the Lions Global Causes. With each club he visited and spoke to, they asked “How can we support you?”
Lion Aaron is now the Childhood Cancer Chair of his Lions district.
Here, he shares advice for Lions and community members who want to get involved in the fight against childhood cancer.
Help with the little things.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to tell people about how to support. The little things are what can be super helpful. Someone mowing your lawn while you’re gone during long hospital stays. Providing meals and gas cards. Sending toys and activities to help brighten the child’s day.
Partner with a local childhood cancer organization.
Find organizations in your community that are already working with families. Ask them: How can we help? What do you need – volunteers, funds, space? All of them will have an answer for you. They know what they need to grow and to support families, but they may not have the funds or the people to make it happen. With the Lions club’s volunteers and ability to fundraise in the community, together, they make a powerful team.
Download resources from lionsclubs.org/childhoodcancer.
Visit the Childhood Cancer webpage where you can download a list of childhood cancer service project ideas and event planners that will offer step-by-step instructions on how to plan a fundraiser to support childhood cancer.
You can also apply for a Lions Clubs International Foundation Childhood Cancer Grant.
Childhood cancer resources include:
- Service Project Ideas List: Childhood Cancer
- Childhood Cancer Entertainment Event Project Planner
- Half-Day Family Camp Project Planner Childhood Cancer Support Group Project Planner
Learn more about Lion Aaron’s story and how the Cedar Rapids Noon Lions Club is supporting families in their community.
Jacqui MacKenzie is the social media and community manager for Lions Clubs International.
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