Thirty-three children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States.

About 2,300 die of the disease each year. Over the last fifty years, new medicines, primarily chemotherapies, have dramatically increased the survival rates of pediatric cancer patients. It is a testament to the progress of medical science that, fifty years ago, physicians described the survival of leukemia patients in terms of weeks and very rarely months and today, about 80% of children diagnosed with cancer survive five years after diagnosis. As the ranks of those who have survived childhood cancer swell, the medical and philanthropic community is becoming more aware of the unique challenges that these children face.

Childhood cancer is often treated extremely aggressively with some combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplants. The side effects of treatment, including hair loss, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue, can be physically and emotionally debilitating. Perhaps more devastating, however, are the potential long-term complications or the “late effects” of childhood cancer treatment that can occur many years after remission, like developmental delays and malformations, infertility, increased risk for developing second cancers, and increased risk for life threatening infections, among many others. Additionally, the psychosocial and economic impacts of the disease can be chronically debilitating for both the patient and family. For example, children with cancer need continuing education during their illness, and survivors often need support transitioning back into the school system.

In 2003, the Institute of Medicine estimated that more than 270,000 childhood cancer survivors reside in the United States. This number is steadily increasing along with the unmet need for more educational programs, activities, and services to help childhood cancer survivors recover and maintain their well-being.

Through funding and program development, our Pediatric Oncology Program will improve and maintain the quality of life of childhood cancer survivors in Orange County.

• Keene N, Hobbie W, Ruccione K. Chilhood Cancer Survivors: a practical guide to your future. 2nd. O’Reilly Media Inc. 2007.
• Ries LAG, Smith MA, Gurney JG, Linet M, Tamra T, Young JL, Bunin GR (eds). Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975-1995, National Cancer Institute, SEER Program. NIH. Pub. No. 99-4649. Bethesda, MD, 1999.

In 1976, Jonathan Jaques, a 16-year-old cancer patient, asked his parents to establish a fund to be used toward helping children with cancer. Starting with a $1,000 donation from Jonathan's life savings, the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center (JJCCC) began to provide services in 1983. Although Jonathan has passed away, his legacy lives on through the wonderful programs available at the center.

Within months of being formed, Four Pearls begun to create an active relationship with JJCCC at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. In 2007, we delivered Care Packages to all of their patients as a way of introducing the children and their families to Four Pearls of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation and the services that we offer. Each package includes a special Four Pearls teddy bear, an iPOD shuffle, a soft bath robe, and a children’s book entitled “Why Me?” which helps children cope with a diagnosis of cancer. We are proud that every new pediatric cancer patient at JJCCC will receive a Four Pearls Care Package this year.

In 2008, we plan to provide the Care Packages to incoming patients in other hospitals throughout Orange County and Los Angeles. Our goal is to provide comfort to all children diagnosed with cancer, introduce them and their families to the Foundation, and provide them access to our other services.

For information on sponsoring a Four Pearls Care Package for a child with cancer, please call us at 949.955.0099.