How to Raise Awareness for Bone Cancer

Primary bone cancer, such as osteosarcoma, often strikes young people who are less than 25 years old. As there is no known way to prevent primary bone cancer, it is particularly important for those with knowledge of the disease to raise awareness among others.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Learn all you can about bone cancer in order to be able to intelligently give reasons why funds need to be raised to fight this disease. You can start by going to the American Cancer Web site and the National Cancer Institute Web site (see "Resources" below).

2. Participate in or organize local fund-raising activities. If you belong to a local civic or professional group, suggest holding an event that benefits bone cancer research.

3. Purchase items online that you can display to make more people aware of bone cancer and its effects. You might want to get bumper stickers, jewelry, T-shirts, posters, ribbons, calendars or other small items. Give them as gifts so that other people can get the word out too. See the Web site of the National Cancer Institute for more information.

4. Help form a bone cancer awareness group in your area if one does not already exist. Work with the major cancer agencies, such as the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, to get tips as to how to go about organizing a group. Advertise the meetings and offer help to local people who need support.

5. Become an advocate for bone cancer research. Cancer agencies need people to lobby, speak out, and become politically active in the fight against bone cancer. You can get more information on advocacy at the American Cancer Society's Web site.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child is diagnosed with bone cancer, you have the right to be informed of all the different treatment options available.
• Be aware that if someone in your family is diagnosed with bone cancer, regular follow up will be necessary to make sure the cancer has not returned.
• If you have a child with bone cancer, you may wish to join an organization like the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation. You can call the Foundation at 1-800-366-CCCF.
• Children and teenagers often handle stress and depression differently from adults. If your child or teenager is diagnosed with bone cancer, you may wish to consult a mental health professional with special expertise in child or adolescent psychology. She can help you understand warning signs of severe depression.

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