Awareness

Advocacy

Our Position

Why Advocacy Matters

Systems-level change occurs by raising awareness of an issue and by advocating for policies and practices that shape the system. Changing the trajectory of childhood cancer as it exists today requires initiatives that bring the seriousness of childhood cancer to the forefront of our collective consciousness — so society is compelled not to look away.

We work to arm communities with the information needed to demand from our leaders policies that fund research, provide comprehensive support to children in treatment, survivors, and the bereaved, and make care accessible to every family that needs it.

"Society must be compelled not to look away. Children deserve better — and we will not stop until they have it."
State Awareness & Proclamations
Federal Advocacy & Policy
Storytelling & Education
Our Work

Three Pillars of Advocacy

Pillar 01 State Awareness
Wherever possible, we seek state proclamations that raise awareness about childhood cancer — especially cancers like DIPG, where survival rates remain devastatingly low and little progress has been made in developing effective treatments.

To date, we have successfully obtained proclamations for Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month in 2024 and 2025 in Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia.
MD · VA · GA
Pillar 02 Federal Advocacy
When advocates alert the childhood cancer community of opportunities to engage federal officials on critical issues — such as funding cuts for research, drug approvals, or policies affecting quality of care — we respond.

We participate in sign-on letters, public comments, and inform our network about pressing issues and how to contact their elected officials.
Sign-on Letters · Public Comments
Pillar 03 Storytelling
Another powerful tool for raising awareness is simply telling our stories. Our organization is a family-founded nonprofit, born out of the loss of our daughter and niece. Unfortunately, her story is not rare — but it is powerful.

We engage in telling Leah's story and the stories of other children and families battling cancer to educate, change the dialogue, and ultimately reshape the policies and systems that affect them.
Education · Dialogue · Change
A Milestone

State Proclamations

We have successfully obtained official state proclamations recognizing Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month — a meaningful step toward bringing greater public and legislative attention to cancers like DIPG.
MD Maryland
2024 2025
VA Virginia
2024 2025
GA Georgia
2024 2025
These proclamations formally recognize Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Month and represent an important step in our ongoing effort to elevate the visibility of childhood brain cancer — particularly DIPG — at the state and national level. We are proud of this progress and committed to expanding our reach further.
Get Involved

Stand With Us for Change

Take Action Contact Your Elected Officials Your voice matters. Reach out to your senators and representatives to urge greater investment in childhood cancer research, improved access to clinical trials, and stronger support for families navigating treatment. Every message counts. Find Your Representative Opens congress.gov in a new tab
Support Our Work Help Fund Our Advocacy Efforts Our advocacy work — from securing state proclamations to participating in federal sign-on letters — is made possible by the generosity of donors who believe children with cancer deserve better. Your support keeps us in the fight. Donate Now Secure donation via GiveLively