September Awareness
Childhood Cancer & Suicide Prevention

September brings attention to two very different issues that affect children, young adults, parents, and families. Awareness is about understanding, prevention, support, and remembrance. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story. 
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Every year, about 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer.
~15,000
U.S children and adolescents diagnosed each year
~85%
Five-year survival across childhood cancers overall
~400,000
Children and adolescents develop cancer worldwide each year
Thanks to decades of research and improved treatments, survival has improved dramatically. But not all children have equal access to diagnosis and treatment. Where a child lives can greatly affect their chance of survival.
PROGRESS OVER TIME
Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) 5-Year Survival
92.3%
57%
1975
2014-2020
In high-income countries,,
 80%+ of children with cancer 
are cured.

 In many low- and middle-income countries, fewer than 30% are cured.
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
National Cancer Institute (NCI) 
Information on childhood cancers, treatments, clinicol trials, and coping.
NCI Support Services Locator  
Find orgonizations that provide financial help, lodging, transportation, counseling and more. 
American Childhood 
Cancer Organization 
Programs and support for children with cancer and their families. 
National Children's 
Cancer Society 
Emotional, financial and educational support for families. 
Suicide Prevention Month
NEED HELP NOW? CALL OR TEXT 988
988

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone.

48,824
Americans died by suicide in 2024
2nd
Leading cause of death ages 10-14
2nd
Leading cause of death ages 15-24
THE LAST DECADE: U.S. SUICIDE RATE
Age-adjusted deaths per 100,000 population
2015 2018 2020 2022 2024
13.3 14.2 13.4 14.2 13.7
Suicide rates have fluctuated rather than moving steadily in one direction. The recent decline is encouraging, but tens of thousands of lives are still lost every year.
WARNING SIGNS
  • Talking about wanting to die
  • Feeling hopeless or trapped
  • Talking about being a burden
  • Withdrawing from others
  • Giving away important things
  • Extreme mood changes
  • Increased substance use
  • Researching or making plans
HOW YOU CAN HELP
  • Ask directly and listen 
  • Take their feelings seriously 
  • Stay with them when possible
  • Reduce access to lethal means
  • Help them connect with professional or crisis support
  • Call or text 988
  • Call 911 if it is an emergency
AFTER A SUICIDE LOSS
Grieving a suicide loss can include shock, guilt, anger, stigma and deep sadness. You do not have to navigate this alone. Support is available.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
I've Lost Someone: afsp.org/ive-lost-someone
Healing Conversations
Peer support for suicide loss survivors: healingconversations.org
Support Groups & Counseling
Local and online support  groups and professional  counseling can help.
BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS A LIFE
Statistics help us understand the scale of childhood cancer and suicide, but they cannot tell us who someone was-their smile, personality, dreams, favorite things, or the memories their family continues to carry.
Every child matters. Every life matters. Every memory matters.