Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) has campaigned all September for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to raise money for children facing cancer during COVID-19. Just $15,000 away from meeting its Gold Ribbon Campaign (GRC) goal, the charity has extended the fund-raising campaign to Oct. 15.

“We are truly ecstatic that we have come so close to our goal this year,” said Eryn Shugart, interim executive director, TBCF. “We knew, because of the constraints of the pandemic, that we were up against a challenge this year, and we are so grateful to our supporters to ensure we close the gap. We feel confident that extending this campaign will put us over the top.”

Each year throughout September, TBCF hosts the Gold Ribbon Campaign to raise funds, but due to COVID-19, the annual in-person Gold Ribbon Luncheon — a major source of funding for the nonprofit — has been cancelled. This year, the campaign focused solely on raising funds and awareness for the organization and the families its serves.

Imagine having a child with cancer during the COVID-19 crisis — a pandemic that is leading to job loss or insecurity, financial hardship, mounting health concerns, and an overworked and exhausted health care community.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation families have been hit doubly hard as they navigate both COVID-19 and having a child with cancer. 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.

Since the start of the pandemic, TBCF has been providing even more service than usual 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.

To make a donation and help support children facing pediatric cancer during COVID-19, visit https://www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org/2020-gold-ribbon-campaign. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/31I8Gkmhttps://bit.ly/31I8Gkm.