Give Kids More Hope Through Gold Together
As the American Cancer Society's childhood cancer initiative, Gold Together empowers individuals to raise funds that directly support research, advocacy, and patient support dedicated to childhood cancer.
Join Gold Together and you’ll be joining a community of survivors, volunteers, and supporters who believe that the future can be free from childhood cancer.
The challenge of childhood cancer
Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death for children and adolescents
Ages 1-19 and the 2nd most common cause of death among children ages 1 to 14.
1 in 260 children
And adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.1
9,190 new cases
In children (ages <15 years) and 5,280 new cases in adolescents (ages 15-19 years) are expected to be diagnosed in 2023.
1Statistical Methodology and Applications Branch, National Cancer Institute. DevCan: Probability of Developing or Dying of Cancer Software, version 6.8.0. Surveillance Research Program, Statistical Methodology and Applications Branch, National Cancer Institute; 2022.2.
Join the Movement
Cole Eicher’s Vision
The Gold Together for childhood cancer movement was created by childhood brain cancer survivor Cole Eicher, who envisioned a Gold Together team at every Relay For Life event starting with his team in St. Petersburg, Florida. Through Gold Together, volunteers can raise awareness, support families facing childhood cancer, and connect those families to a lifetime of resources through the American Cancer Society.
Get involved and make an impact
Gold Together Champions
This September, Gold Together Champions will raise funds for the American Cancer Society during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Funds raised directly support research, advocacy, and patient support dedicated to childhood cancer. Cancer doesn't fight fair at any age, but it is particularly devastating for children. With your help, we will help kids fight back
Contact GoldTogether@cancer.org for questions
More Ways to Help
The fight against childhood cancer needs you now more than ever.
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. But we can’t do it alone. There are now more ways than ever to connect, support, and fundraise to help save lives from childhood cancer.
For more information and additional volunteer opportunities contact goldtogether@cancer.org
Gold Together Dollars are making a difference
Research
The American Cancer Society funds scientists who conduct innovative research on childhood cancer at medical schools, universities, research institutes, and hospitals throughout the United States.
As of January 2023, the American Cancer Society is funding 44 multi-year research grants for a total of $26 million that are specific to childhood cancer.
- In partnership with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, childhood cancer research funding grants totaling $4.4 million commenced in July 2021 and positively impacted mortality and quality of life.
- Our annual Cancer Facts & Figures reposts are the most widely cited sources for cancer data in the world.
- The Childhood Cancer Research Landscape Report was produced by the American Cancer Society in collaboration with the Alliance For Childhood Cancer. This report provides important perspectives and data from the childhood cancer community on barriers to research and the current efforts to overcome those barriers.
Advocacy
Through the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN), advocates work with national, state, and local governments to push for policy changes that help cancer patients and their families.
- As a member of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, we work collaboratively through advocacy by participating in Childhood Cancer Action Days, supporting funding for the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, and various other initiatives.
- We take action through our Gold Together National Ambassadors (ages 13-20) who create meaningful change by engaging policymakers at local, state, and federal levels around childhood cancer legislation in partnership with ACS CAN. Gold Together Ambassadors are active in their community by participating in community events and building awareness around childhood cancer.
- We work to increase access to care by advocating for key patient protections in the Affordable Care Act and to expand Medicaid to cover more low-income individuals.
Services
A child battling cancer will never outgrow the support of the American Cancer Society.
- As a definitive and highly trusted source of the latest, evidence-based cancer information, we give families the facts and information they need to fight cancer through our cancer.org website.
- Our National Cancer Information Center specialists are available 24/7, via phone, at 800-227-2345, as well as online and video chat.
- We build communities of support virtually and in person by connecting compassionate volunteers with families facing childhood cancer.
- We provide much-needed support and resources for cancer caregivers through our Caregiver Resource Guide and Caregiver Support Video Series.
- Our Road to Recovery volunteer drivers provide free rides to cancer-related medical appointments. Patients must be 18 years or older to ride by themselves, and patients who are minors should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Other eligibility requirements may apply.
- Hope Lodge communities across the country provide a free place to stay during treatment so people with cancer can focus on getting better at no cost to guests. Hope Lodge eligibility is 18 years and older with the following locations accepting patients 12 years and older (Houston, TX, Lubbock, TX, Memphis, TN, Greenville, SC, Jackson, MS, St. Louis, MO, and Minneapolis, MN). Other lodging requirements may apply, and other lodging assistance may be available.
Help save lives by making a donation. Every dollar directly supports the American Cancer Society’s fight against childhood cancer through research, advocacy, and services.
Help us end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
