The month of July is famous for many holidays. Independence Day, National Ice Cream Day, and the National Day of the Cowboy to name a few. However, another important event is Sarcoma Awareness Month. Talking about cancer is scary, and usually not something people are comfortable with. To put it plainly, in a month filled with fireworks, frozen goodies, and rodeos, any talk of the big C-word can be a real buzz-kill. However, shedding light on one of the rarest forms of the disease is a great way to remind those being affected by it that they are not alone. Additionally, awareness of sarcoma may lead to more funding for research of better treatment options or possibly even the eradication of the disease itself. That is a goal anyone can get behind!
Sarcomas are malignant tumors of the body’s connective tissues. These are divided into two groups, bone, and soft-tissue. According to the Sarcoma Alliance, approximately 14,000 new cases of sarcomas are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Bone sarcomas are the rarest form, with around 2,890 diagnoses per year. Children, in particular, are likely to be diagnosed with this form of cancer. While sarcoma diagnoses are lower than that of other manifestations, the numbers are still staggering. The World Health Organization predicts deaths attributed to cancer will increase to 13 million worldwide by the year 2030. With numbers like that, action must be taken. So what can you do to help? Below are three simple ways you can contribute to sarcoma awareness.
