Opinion: San Diego Must Support the Children Battling Cancer This Holiday Season

As families embrace the warmth of each other’s company over the next few holiday weeks, some will unfortunately huddle around a hospital bed as their child undergoes treatment for cancer or another life-threatening illness. For them, the holiday season brings uncomfortable uncertainty.

We see this often at the Emilio Nares Foundation as we work to provide year-round resources for families in these situations. Treatment doesn’t stop for the holidays, and we recognize the discomfort this can cause. Yet we also see this as a call to action.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that one in five children will face housing, utility or food insecurity at some point during their journey with cancer. This disproportionately affects communities of color, with widespread disparities noted in primary care, emergency medicine, end-of-life care and many other needs.

In some areas of the San Diego region, over 60% of families with children are living under the federal poverty level. For those families, holidays can be a strain, especially with children battling life-threatening illness.

CNBC reports that only 33% of shoppers can afford holiday shopping without the threat of debt. Add to that the cost of treating cancer, and it’s clear how difficult this season can be for some families

But the San Diego community can make a difference and generate hope for those who are struggling. If nothing else, we can keep these families in our well wishes and thoughts this season.

Many dedicated organizations offer ways to bring joy to those who can’t celebrate the holidays in their homes surrounded by family and friends. For our part, the Emilio Nares Foundation’s Holiday Smiles for Families campaign will collect donations, gift cards, and toys for families in need this season.

No matter how you get involved, please support these families. Creating hope amid despair will uplift those in our community who need to know that they matter and are not going through their pain alone. Nothing can offer more comfort at times than knowing others think about you.

For a child battling cancer or another life-threatening illness, it can mean the world. I promise you that any gesture of kindness can help. Thank you for making togetherness a truly universal holiday feeling.

Ashleigh Edwards is a public relations major at San Diego State University who is helping the Emilio Nares Foundation, a San Diego-based nonprofit that helps families navigate through their child’s journey with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.