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Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM) is recognized each September by childhood cancer organizations in the United States and around the world. According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, each year in the United States, an estimated 15,780 children aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer. Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday.
Mount Nittany Health pediatric hospitalist Dr. Colby Wesner is the founder and president of an organization called ThinkBIG, which supports families of pediatric cancer patients throughout central and northeast Pennsylvania. The organization’s main mission is to relieve the stress of everyday financial burdens so families can focus on treatment and healing, rather than out-of-pocket expenses.
ThinkBIG was founded in memory of Carmine Monacelli who lost his life to pediatric cancer when he was only nine years old. Carmine was known for his positive attitude, altruism and futuristic dreams. During his treatments, he would share his aspirations and life goals with his doctors and nurses. One day he would want to be a WWF wrestler, the next day a marine, and some days, a marine biologist. He even wanted to be the first American Pope. Carmine left a legacy of ThinkingBIG.
Since its inception in 2014, ThinkBIG has raised over $1 million for families battling pediatric cancer. The Oliver Auman family explains how grateful they are for the help they received from ThinkBIG: “The whole experience was a lot to take in; not just having to care for Oliver, but having to continue life in general and that includes paying bills. With the financial burden, things were tight. Luckily, ThinkBIG was able to assist in covering our mortgage payments,” said Oliver’s parents. “Of all the terrible things in this world, I think childhood cancer is one of the worst and any organization that helps to alleviate any kind of stress or burden on the parents is a Godsend. I can’t express how much I appreciate everything ThinkBIG did for us.”
ThinkBIG supports families battling pediatric cancer who reside in, or are being treated in, the following Pennsylvania counties: Bradford, Carbon, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming. For more information on this wonderful organization, please visit their website here.
Please join us in thanking Dr. Wesner and ThinkBIG for their dedication to supporting the families of pediatric cancer patients.
Mount Nittany Health has Oncology Patient Navigators who help guide patients through the healthcare system. They also help troubleshoot practical problems, such as transportation, finances, childcare, housing and insurance or clinically oriented problems, like treatment side effects, nutrition and home health needs. Thank you to our extraordinary Care Navigators who support and assist these patients.
