TJ, CLWCF lead campaign against cancer

Though cancer in children is rare, it is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children in the United States. In 2014, it is estimated that 15,780 children and adolescents ages 0 to 19 years will be diagnosed with cancer and 1,960 will die of the disease in the United States.

The most common types of cancer diagnosed in children and adolescents are leukemia, brain and other central nervous system tumors, lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, bone cancer, and gonadal (testicular and ovarian) germ cell tumors.

As of January 1, 2010, there were approximately 380,000 survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer (diagnosed at ages 0 to 19 years) alive in the United States (1). The number of survivors will continue to increase, given that the incidence of childhood cancer has been rising slightly in recent decades and that survival rates overall are improving.

In a bid to create awareness and help raise fund in support of children living with cancer in Nigeria, Saxophonist TJ Emore will be supporting Children living With Cancer Foundation for a walk tagged Go Gold, Bold Walkathon. Billed for September 17, the walk will start from Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos to Ikoyi Link Bridge and back to Dowen College.

Registration for interested participants will star from 7am, after which TJ will lead the walk, which will be spiced with music.

Children Living With Cancer Foundation (CLWCF) is a Non Government Organisation (NGO) set up to cater for the welfare, and medication of children battling with cancer whilst providing support for their families. The body is registered with ICCCPO, an international organisation dedicated to the care of children with cancer, and those that have survived cancer.

Though a musician, saxophonist Tejiri Emore popularly known as TJ Sax is passionate about children living with cancer. Over the years, he has used his saxophone as a weapon to rally support for these kids, entertaining and presenting them with gift items.

“This is my own little way of supporting these children and letting them know that we are aware of their condition. I’m using this opportunity to invite friends and fans to join us that day so we could show these special children some love,” he said.

TJ, who once celebrated his birthday with cancer children at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, noted that, “it was an opportunity to see what these kids are going through and I thanks God we were able to go there. I think we should all find time to visit such people and show them some love, no matter how little,” he said.