The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) was founded in 1970 by a dedicated group of parents of children with cancer. It's the oldest and largest grassroots childhood cancer organization in the U.S.
Amazon donated $1 million to ACCO in September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month), and partnered with the organization to raise awareness about childhood cancers and empower customers to join in the fight.
5 things you should know about Amazon and why we #GoGold
1. On September 6, Amazon employees wore pajamas to work. Pajamas are the battle uniform for children with cancer, so we wore them to let them know they are not alone. Check out photos from when we were .
Amazon employees take part in "Goes Gold" and the PJammin' challenge.Photo by (JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)2. 30 Days, 30 Smiles Delivered: During the month of September, ACCO and Amazon delivered smiles to 30 children in 30 days, through fun and exciting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) immersion experiences across the country. Additionally, for each child we delivered smiles (through events and celebrations in September), we made a $10k donation to the hospitals that treated them in their honor. We have given a total of $300k to local pediatric oncology programs across North America.
3. As part of our 30 Days, 30 Smiles Delivered efforts, we coordinated a visit and tour of our Kent, Washington Fulfillment Center, for five young cancer fighters and their families.These kids and their families got to see how Amazonians pick, pack and ship customer orders. They then got to do the same by filling special boxes with toys and games destined for other kids impacted by cancer. Get more details.
4. Did you get a gold Amazon box at your door in September? We delivered 10 million uniquely-designed boxes featuring gold ribbons (the international symbol of childhood cancer), to raise awareness and empower customers to join the fight against childhood cancer.
5. As part of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Amazon donated $1 million to the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) to help fund initiatives that provide educational, financial and emotional support to children and families in communities across the country.
Facts about pediatric cancer:
- 15,780: Number of children in the U.S. who will be diagnosed with pediatric cancer this year
- 80%: Percentage of children, worldwide, with treatable cancers will die due to lack of treatment
- Two-Thirds: The proportion of childhood cancer survivors in the US that will suffer long-term health problems, one-quarter will be severe or even life-threatening
- 45.7%: Percentage of families who will experience considerable to severe financial hardship while their children are in treatment
- 75.5% Percentage of families that have, at minimum, one parent stop work or decrease work/loss of income
- $100: The amount of financial assistance given per family by treatment facilities
- Teachers: Often the first to recognize the early symptoms of pediatric cancer
Check out a few "30 Smiles in 30 Days" stories:
