We have removed the post since it does not fit with our theme of home and work safety
Tag Archives: children
SEPTEMBER IS CHILDREN’S CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
We are all familiar with the pink ribbons that promote breast cancer awareness. The National Children’s Cancer Society asks schools and communities to recognize the month of September by wearing a gold ribbon on their lapel, to bring awareness of the battle with cancer that thousands of America’s children are fighting.
Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15. It causes more deaths in children than asthma, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and AIDS combined. According to Kristie McNealy, M.D., one in 330 children will develop cancer before they are twenty years old. Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with some type of cancer. There are between 30,000 and 40,000 child cancer patients undergoing treatment in the U.S. On average, 12,500 children will be diagnosed with cancer this year.
Cancer is an ugly word for anyone; cancer in a child is unthinkable. But it happens. I know of a very brave young man, who, at age 14 has battled this disease off and on since he was three years old. He has had 2 other relapses, and continues to fight, following a double cord transplant this past year. This determined youngster has gone through more than most of us will experience in a lifetime. It is his hope that people will realize what this disease is doing to our children by donating money, volunteering for cancer fund-raisers, or getting involved in other ways.
We have veered away today from our usual format of safety – at home, at work, or play, but many times we do focus on health issues. This important message needs to be spread. Money is spent on research for breast cancer, and other types of cancer; however, research funds are scarce for pediatric cancer. In the past two decades, one new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric treatment.
Professional athletes visit kids in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, and their presence can make all the difference in the world. You can help, too, by giving of your time and/or money. If you know of a family that is going through treatment for their child, consider giving them gift certificates to restaurants, to be able to pick up food when there’s no time to prepare meals between work and hospital visits. You can do many thoughtful things just by giving your time. Be thankful if this disease hasn’t affected your family; wear that gold ribbon and remind folks what it is all about.
AN AUGUST REMINDER FOR IMMUNIZATIONS!
August is designated by the Centers for Disease Control as National Immunization Awareness Month. Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases states, “Immunization is one of the single most important steps parents can take to help assure their children grow up to be strong and healthy.”
Communities and cities are already reminding parents through the media such as newspapers, radio, and television to take their children for the immunization shots now, to be ready for the beginning of school. Because of the fact that so many people wait until the last minute, schools are announcing that children will not be admitted without proof that they have received the proper vaccines. It is hard to understand why parents procrastinate about taking their children for these vaccines, when in many cases, there is no cost to them.
Here is a list furnished by the CDC of preventable diseases for children, thanks to vaccines:
- Diptheria
- Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis B
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Influenza
- Measles
- Meningococcal Mumps
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Pneumonossis
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Rubella (German measles)
- Tetanus (lockjaw)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
Some adults think that vaccines that they got when they were children will protect them for the rest of their lives, but consider these factors:
- Some never were vaccinated as children;
- Newer vaccines were not available when they were children;
- Immunizations may have faded over time;
- With age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections, (i.e., flu, pneumonia).
It’s wise to remember that young adults to senior citizens can benefit from immunizations. Vaccines are recommended to adolescents and adults based on factors such as age, health status and medical history. Some vaccines are vital to most adults, especially senior citizens. Others are not appropriate for persons with underlying health issues. Your physician can advise you. The following diseases can affect persons over 65 very seriously: diphtheria, Herpes Zoster (shingles), pneumonia, flu, and tetanus.
If you plan to travel outside the United States, you need to visit with your physician at least 4 weeks prior to your vacation or business trip. Certain vaccines take a period of time to become effective. There are three types of vaccines in regard to travel – routine, recommended, and required. You may be exposed to certain diseases in foreign countries that are uncommon in the U.S.
If you have children, be sure all their shots are current. Years ago, people died from diseases that are now preventable. No one enjoys getting stuck by a needle, but it’s a small price to pay for good health.
LET’S KEEP CHILDREN IN SCHOOL, NOT IN THE FIELDS!
We witnessed a disturbing story aired by ABC News last week, regarding child labor. Four graduate students working as fellows with Carnegie Corporation, and ABC, observed children ages 5, 7, and 8 working alongside their parents on a Michigan blueberry farm. As a result of this report, some popular stores have severed their ties with this particular supplier of blueberries, pending further investigations of child labor.
Countries have minimum age requirements for child labor. The lowest exist in countries like Syria, Paraguay, or Bangladesh, where minimum age is 12. Many youngsters in developing countries begin work prior to reaching the minimum legal age. Most countries set minimum age at 15-16 years old; but in a few cases, the minimum age may be 14. The minimum age in the U.S. ranges from 15-16, and generally, one must have permission from parents to work prior to being 18 and being considered an adult. (Read on, for federal law regarding agricultural work.)
Child labor has been a going on for decades. It is a sad fact that families that live in poverty depend on the help of their children just to make a living. Many are migrant, seasonal workers. Our federal labor laws have been very lax in the past, according to some legal aid attorneys that work with migrant families. Federal law says that children ages 12-13 are allowed to have non-hazardous jobs if they work on the same farm with their parents and have parental consent. Many youngsters are on farms with other family members because the parents cannot afford childcare during the summer months. Many health hazards exist on farms, such as pesticides and chemicals.
One wonders if we shouldn’t be trying to see that our laws are enforced when it comes to child labor, as this is a problem throughout our country. Aren’t we all guilty of buying certain things that are made outside the U.S., because they are cheaper? Chances are that inexpensive item may have been made by some child. Probably the stores that boycotted this particular industry sell many items that are made by child labor.
Laws requiring children to attend school are essential, thereby giving them the opportunity to get decent work once they have completed their education. If they work on farms or elsewhere, it should be when they are out of school. We must keep our children learning skills and not perpetuating poverty. Foremost, we must keep those children safe!
One last thought: there’s so much unemployment in this country, why don’t some of the unemployed who are healthy and able to work take these seasonal, agricultural jobs?
There are many jobs out there that are waiting for someone to come along. It seems that many times there are certain tasks that no one wants to do, but it’s not the place of children to fill in the gaps.