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AWARE TO CARE
Raising Awareness of Neuroblastoma
OUR STORY
It all started with a personal connection. At the age of six months, our team member, Jason Florio, had displayed dark circles around his eyes. Something very uncommon for young children, Jason's parents knew something was wrong. After MRI's and testing, it was confirmed that Jason was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. With a scar on his lower left side of his stomach, it gives Jason a physical and emotional reminder of his survival.
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Unlike Jason, other children who are diagnosed with neuroblastoma are not so fortunate. The symptoms are much like a common flu:
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- Pain in the abdomen or bones
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Bulging of the eye or dark circles around the eyes
- Coughing
- Weight loss
- Pain in the abdomen
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With very common symptoms that one might mistake as a cold or flu, parents and guardians are not too concern; this is the major mistake. As neuroblastoma is usually diagnosed between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, children have a very difficult time expressing what is wrong. With parents not being aware of these symptons, the cancer has time for itself to spread throughout the whole body as well as to the vital organs.
OUR MISSION
We, Jack, Hannah, and Jason, are a part of our King Philip Regional High School's DECA program. For our senior DECA project, we have decided to create a campaign, Aware to Care, to raise awareness of neuroblastoma throughout the 2016-2017 school year. We believe it is crucial for parents to become aware and educated of neuroblastoma symptons as well as help those who are currently diagnosed and are being treated for this cancer. Alongside raising awareness, we will also be hosting a variety of different events throughout the year to reach as many people as we possibly can. With your help, we can help one and all who are currently fighting this battle against neuroblastoma.
*Click here to learn more about the events.
QUICK FACTS
- Neuroblastoma is a common and often difficult to treat cancer, the most common cancer in infancy (UCSF)
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- It is the most common tumor found in children younger than 1 year of age
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- Every 16 hours a child with neuroblastoma dies
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- There is no known cure for relapsed neuroblastoma
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- Neuroblastoma is the most common extra cranial solid tumor cancer in children.
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- Nearly 70% of those children first diagnosed with neuroblastoma have disease that has already metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. When disease has spread at diagnosis and a child is over the age of 2, there is less than a 30% chance of survival
WHAT IS DECA?
DECA is an international organization for both high school and college students that prepares leaders and entrepreneurs for careers and education in marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and other business areas all around the world. Students who are involved with DECA have the opportunity to part take in a variety of business situations, alongside working with big companies, corporations, and businesses.
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Students are able to compete at different levels of competition, ultimately being able to compete at the International Conference (ICDC). In April of 2017, ICDC will be held in Anaheim, California where over 17,000 members, advisors, and business professionals will attend this conference.
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