Put Your Cap on for Pediatric Cancer Support

In June of 1994, I found out I had bladder cancer. I'll be honest; it scared the crap out of me. I was lucky, because the tumor was removed and it hasn't returned, but my doctor told me it could always grow back, so that thought is always lodged somewhere in the back of my mind. I was 22 when I found out, and knowing how I felt, I can only imagine what it must be like for kids who find out they have cancer.

Fortunately, there are programs like Caps for Kids, a nonprofit organization that's aimed specifically at helping those very kids. This Friday, Caps for Kids, along with two national sponsors (New Era Cap Co. and Hatworld/Lids), is putting on "Wear Your Cap to School Day," according to this PR Newswire release. In its sixth year, this initiative wants students to "donate $1.00 for the chance to wear their favorite cap in the classroom." Every dollar raised will go towards Caps for Kids' mission:

"To provide every child that is diagnosed and undergoing treatment for cancer or receiving chemotherapy agents to treat other life threatening illnesses a cap or scarf autographed by the celebrity of their choice."

To date, Wear Your Cap to School Day has raised more than $340,000, with more than $90,000 raised last year alone. More than three quarters of the states in the US have schools participating in the program.

If you or your child want to participate, visit the Wear Your Cap to School Day site to get more information.

Photo courtesy of TooFarNorth, via flickr