My response to:

Bald Barbie Demand is an Over-Reach –

UPDATED

Posted on January 13, 2012 by asbecker

Mr. Becker’s apology is appreciated, but shows the American Cancer Society still does not get it. Why was I upset? His blog still does not address the real problem. The American Cancer Society does very little to help with childhood cancer. Mr. Becker has written many articles about cancer; the only one I have found about childhood cancer is this one. Parents with children who have or have had cancer are starving for some show of care by the American Cancer Society. The numbers are staggering. There is a lack of research dollars spent on all of childhood cancer when compared to breast cancer research alone. I am thankful for the dollars spent on breast cancer research; my wife has personally benefitted. Why is it so difficult for us to raise research funding for childhood cancers or even to raise awareness? The American Cancer Society parades kids in front of cameras and uses children in their advertising; yet less than 1% of their research funding goes to childhood cancer. Mr. Becker, that is why we as parents are upset. It’s not just the article about a bald barbie doll; we want to see the attitude of the ACS change. All cancers, including childhood cancers need research, but our pleas to your organization continue to fall on deaf ears. No one wants to hurt the American Cancer Society. We also do not want the American Cancer Society to continue to ignore the needs of children who are living with and dying from cancer. Yes, we would like an apology. We would like to hear someone say, “We have been neglecting childhood cancer research, and we intend to do something about it.” That would be an apology we would all be glad to hear. We are still waiting….