Childhood Cancer Facts
  • More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a significant health related issue by the time they are 45 years of age. These health related issues are side-effects of either the cancer or more commonly, the result of its treatment.
  • Childhood cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded.
  • The average cost of a stay in a hospital for a child with cancer is $40,000.
  • Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the U.S.
  • One in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they are 20 years old.
  • Since 1980, fewer than 10 drugs have been developed for use in children with cancer. Only three drugs (teniposide and clofarabine, and Unituxin for use in high risk neuroblastoma) have been approved for use in children. Only four additional new drugs have been approved for use by both adults and children.
  • Every year, an estimated 250,000+ new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide.
  • Only 4% of federal government cancer research funding goes to study pediatric cancer. 
  • Two-thirds of childhood cancer patients will have long lasting chronic conditions from treatment. ​
  • 43 children per day or 15,780 children per year are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.
  • Childhood cancer occurs regularly, randomly and spares no ethnic group; socioeconomic class; or geographic region. ​
  • In the United States, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults is increasing at a greater rate than any other age group, except those over 65 years.
  • Childhood cancer is not just one disease. It is made up of a dozen types and countless subtypes.