Each year in September, Texas Children’s Cancer Center goes gold to honor the courageous journeys of our patients and families who have been touched by pediatric cancer and to create awareness about the challenges these children and their loved ones face. It’s also a special time to honor our Cancer Center staff and everyone who plays a role in ensuring that our patients and their families get the care and support they need.
This year, awareness celebrations will be conducted differently to maintain social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will celebrate with our families and staff in a virtual way, instead of the large celebratory gatherings across our four campuses (Main, West, Woodlands and Vannie Cook) that we have held in previous years.
“Despite the challenges we all face due to COVID-19, we have a phenomenal team of providers who will do whatever it takes 24/7 to ensure our patients and their families get the care and treatment they need,” said Dr. Susan Blaney, director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. “Our Cancer Center helps children fight and defeat cancer every day. We hope you will stand with us in Going Gold for childhood cancer, so that together, we can create a healthier future for these children who need our care.”
In this video spotlight on Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Blaney shares how our teams are advancing science and research every day to find cures and give hope to the many patients and families we serve.
Virtual activities to raise awareness
Throughout September, Texas Children’s Cancer Center encourages staff to participate in several virtual activities to help shine the light on childhood cancer.
- Patient and staff videos: Throughout the month of September, we will feature inspiring videos from patients and families sharing messages of encouragement and support to other families impacted by childhood cancer. Our Cancer Center staff will share video messages as well. The videos will be posted on Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers Facebook Page and our One Amazing Team Instagram Page.
- Making a Mark virtual art gallery opens: Presented by The Periwinkle Foundation, the Making A Mark® exhibition will showcase art and creative writing by children ages 3 to 22 who have been affected by cancer and blood disorders. The exhibit opens each year in September and this year it will be hosted virtually on The Periwinkle Foundation website. The exhibit will feature over 130 pieces of art and creative writing made by patients and their siblings. A panel of guest judges have selected 15 purple ribbon pieces which they feel convey a positive message about childhood cancer and blood disorders awareness. Click here to access the art gallery.
- Purple Songs Can Fly documentary – Purple Songs Can Fly, the first recording studio ever created on a pediatric cancer floor at Texas Children’s Hospital, will make its award-winning documentary, “Journey to Hope” available on YouTube September 12-30 during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. “Journey to Hope,” is an original musical production featuring six childhood cancer patients. Written and recorded in the Purple Songs Can Fly studio during their individual cancer journeys, the songs in the documentary spread messages of hope, love and resiliency.
- Visit the Texas Children’s Blog for Cancer Center-related posts throughout the month. Stay tuned to Connect for more Texas Children’s awareness activities in September.
Virtual activities in the community
Patient Activities
The Cancer and Hematology Centers’ inpatient team is hosting a carnival and the outpatient team is hosting a variety of activities throughout the month to honor childhood cancer awareness month as well as the patient populations impacted by the diseases/disorders being honored in September.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September 17: Houston City Hall lights up in Gold
Click here to learn more about Texas Children’s Cancer.