Instead of hiring a babysitter, buying a new outfit, spending money on auction items, and trying to figure out how to come up with the money for another high-price party, stay home, have a Night in for Neuroblastoma and help raise money to fund new, less toxic treatments for children fighting cancer. How to host a “night in”
Step one: Pick a date. This event takes place throughout the entire month of September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so you can choose whatever night fits in your schedule. Step two: Determine your guest list. No need to spend money on invitations, use an electronic invite, text invite or facebook. Step Three: Think about what kind of “night in” you want to host. If you have kids, include them! Make it a pizza night; or a casual affair where everyone brings a dish to share. Enjoy a grown-up night, drink some beer or wine and make some of those new appetizers you have been looking for a reason to test. The idea of this event is to make it fun and easy. You get to decide how to plan your “night in.”
Step four: Ask that everyone who attends your gathering make a donation to Band of Parents, if they are able. Encourage them to give whatever they can. NO amount is too small. Cash, coins, checks are great! If your guests wish to donate with a credit card they can visit http://www.bandofparents.org/donate.html For those who can’t attend a “night in” donations can still be made. Mail checks payable to Band of Parents to Ashle Burnett, 1419 E. Windmill Rd., Derby, KS 67037 or donate online. Every dollar raised benefits the Band of Parents to help fund new, less toxic treatments for kids fighting Neuroblastoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Step five: Have fun! But please, during your “night in” take a few minutes and educate your guests on what the night is all about – the kids whose lives are consumed by doctor visits, tubies, hospital stays, shots, needles, hair loss, chemotherapy and sickness. Don’t just focus on the sad, difficult stuff, educate them that these kids are the truest super heros who take most days with a smile. They are kids just like yours who like bubbles and video games and sports. For those hosting events, an informational handout is available. Simply email ashleburnett@gmail.com to request one. Step six: Take pictures and post them to our page
Step seven: After your event, send a quick email to ashleburnett@gmail.com and let her know how many people attended your “night in” and if known, how much money was raised. Dinner hosts can mail money raised directly to the Band of Parents or get it to Ashle and she will turn it in. Step eight: Spread the word and encourage others to host their own “night in”
Why is this a “night in”? Two reasons 1) Children in treatment for cancer often suffer from low blood counts forcing them to stay home while their friends get to go out, play sports and have fun. A night in honors those children who can’t leave for fear of potential fatal infections 2) Many of the children in treatment for Neuroblastoma have to travel thousands of miles from home to receive treatment. When they return home, they are often just happy to be at home. What is Band of Parents? Band of Parents is a member based organization with the goal of funding new therapies for Neuroblastoma, a rare and deadly childhood cancer. The mission of the Band of Parents is to seek projects that have already been examined in the lab and are in need of assistance to rapidly move into a patient population within 12-24 months of funding. The organizations goal is simple – to help and support families fighting Neuroblastoma and to raise more funds for research, so that ALL children with neuroblastoma can survive and thrive. To learn more visit www.bandofparents.org
What is Neuroblastoma? Neuroblastoma it is the most common cancer in children under 2 years of age and is diagnosed in about 650 children in the U.S. each year. Arising in the developing nerves of a child, Neuroblastoma often appears as a tumor in the chest or abdomen. It is a cancer that attacks the sympathetic nervous system and in 2/3rds of cases it goes undiagnosed until it has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. Once neuroblastoma spreads, it is often considered High Risk disease which has a 5 year survival rate of just 30 percent. The cause of neuroblastoma is unknown and there is no known cure for relapsed Neuroblastoma. Childhood cancer facts (from www.bandofparents.org):
- One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.
- About 1,320 children are expected to die from cancer in 2012.
- Each school day, 62 children are diagnosed with cancer. (based on 180 day year).
- Each child in the U.S. diagnosed with cancer receives approximately one sixth of the federal research support allocated to each patient afflicted with AIDS.
- The National Cancer Institute's funded research portfolio in 2010 was $3 billion. Of that, breast cancer received 21%, prostate cancer received 10% and ALL 12 major groups of pediatric cancers combined received less than 3%.
- Cancer accounts for the greatest number of deaths of children in the U.S. and kills more children per year than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, asthma and AIDS combined.
