Avalan Wealth is going gold for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) in September TBCF is a nonprofit organization serving families who have a child with cancer in the Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. Their mission is to provide financial, emotional, and educational support to families battling pediatric cancer.
Each September, in recognition of National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation hosts its Gold Ribbon Campaign. Avalan Wealth, with offices in Santa Barbar, is a sponsor.
To help bring awareness to the Gold Ribbon Campaign, Avalan will be running a special decal on Richard Childress Racing’s No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for the entire month. The decal, which includes a gold ribbon in honor of pediatric cancer, will be seen by race fans as driver Tyler Reddick races across the country in September.
This year, TBCF families are facing extreme challenges: In addition to the stressors brought on by having a child with cancer, many parents have lost their jobs and stability due to the pandemic. Moreover, they’re faced with the knowledge that their child is in a higher risk group for COVID-19 as chemotherapy weakens the immune system.
During this challenging time, TBCF has been providing additional services for families, including money for rent assistance, grocery gift cards, additional emotional support groups with licensed therapists, virtual and in-person tutoring, meal and care package delivery, and virtual family fun events to keep their kids engaged.
Community support has made it possible for TBCF to provide additional financial assistance to 31 local families who have been severely affected by the pandemic.
It is anticipated that 11,500 children will be diagnosed with cancer, and about 1,190 children under the age of 15 are expected to die in 2020. After accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death among children younger than 15 years old.
“Being a new father this year, I can’t imagine the fight and bravery that TBCF families are going through,” said Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro. “The work that Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation does to support families battling pediatric cancer is incredible, and I’m proud to help Avalan bring awareness to their work by running a special decal all month long on my race car.
“Hopefully, the families will be able to catch some of our races and have some fun cheering us on.”
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation cannot cure cancer, but can help families remain stable during the most difficult time in their life. For more information and to donate, visit https://bit.ly/DonateTBCF.