Every year in the United States approximately 15,780 children between the ages of birth and 19 are diagnosed with cancer.  A diagnosis that no parent is prepared to receive.  Statistically, childhood cancer is rare when compared to many forms of adult cancer.  Despite the claim that childhood cancer is rare, it is the number one cause of death by disease for children in the United States. 

 

Statistics say that in the 1950's, almost all kids with cancer did not survive.  Now, with the help of research, 90% with the most common types of cancer will survive.  This seems like a great improvement in medical history, but that percentage only accounts for the most common types of cancer.  It does not include all of the sub-types that don't receive as much funding, and don't get as much research.  Brantley's specific type of cancer was not in the category of "common", it fell under "other rare types of cancer."  This category is made up of multiple different kinds of cancer, that in total make up 30% of childhood cancers. 

When you hear a number like 90%, you automatically think "wow, that is great!" 

How can we think that anything less then 100% survival is acceptable?  It is devastating. 

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