Survivors and advocates recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Cancer survivors and advocates gathered inside the State House Tuesday morning for a special prayer event, with September also marking the beginning of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

“When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it’s a life changing event. Their life changes in an instant. You have hospital rooms that take the place of playgrounds. You have treatments that take the place of field trips,” says educator Sylvia Wright.

The event’s organizer, Kristine Schaffer, was recognized by Representative Mark Smith — and given a framed proclamation by Governor Henry McMaster.

Schaffer then read the “”Prayer of Joy” — meant to bring comfort and hope.

Even though the future is unknown regarding this child’s prognosis, may your joy rise in their souls, may they be able to praise you as they pass through the storm of cancer,” Schaffer reads in part.

Eight-year-old Aubree Cerruti spoke at the event. The third-grader overcame leukemia after two years of treatment, and is now an ambassador for Camp Happy Days out of Charleston — a program that offers support and resources to kids facing cancer.

“It wasn’t really me that stayed strong. It was Jesus that helped me, and my nurses. They were my best friends. It was a lot when I had cancer, but…I (got) through it,” says Cerruti.

When asked what her message to other kids facing cancer would be Cerruti says, “We hope that they’re gonna get through it. We hope that they’re gonna be happy when they’re done. I just hope that they’re gonna be ok.”

Aubree’s mom Kara was also in attendance, adding, “She lost her hair, she became 25 pounds, she bruised easily, she was sick all the time. It literally gives me strength to get up in the morning, not just by the strength of God, but people say how do you do it? And I say Aubree beat cancer, I surely can get up out of bed and do a load of laundry, it’s not that hard, so I’m just really proud of her, she’s an amazing girl.”

For a link to donate to Camp Happy Days, click here.