September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and it’s time to “Paint the Town Gold” because kids can’t fight cancer alone.

Marla Johnson and Jennifer C. Garrett are spearheading an awareness campaign that is designed to help bring awareness to childhood cancer in Pike County during the month of September.

The co-chairs of the “Paint the Town Gold” awareness campaign said putting numbers on the incidences of childhood cancer paints an alarming picture.

“One in every 285 children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer and one out of every five children with cancer will not survive,” Garrett said. “And, most of those who do survive will suffer long term effects.”

During the month of September alone, 14,583 children will be diagnosed with cancer.

“Every single one of them will be literally fighting for their lives and hoping that the next treatment is the one that will save them,” Garrett said. “The ‘Paint the Town Gold’ campaign will bring awareness to childhood cancer and will also raise funds to help children and the families of children who are diagnosed with cancer.

Garrett said there are several ways to help bring awareness to childhood cancer in Pike County during the month of September.

“You can buy a gold ribbon for $10 to display at your home or business,” she said. “You can burn a yellow light on your front porch throughout the month, inform others about childhood cancer statistics and pray for children battling cancer and also their families.”

Garrett said all of the money raised through the “Paint the Town Gold” campaign will go directly to the Hadley May Foundation.

“The purpose of the Hadley May Foundation is to raise awareness of childhood cancer and help children who are diagnosed with cancer and their families,” she said.

The Hadley May Foundation was founded by Tony and Ryann May in memory of their firstborn child, Hadley Grace May.

“Paint the Town Gold” event is being held in memory of E.B. Johnson and Hadley May and in honor of all survivors of childhood cancer.

For more information on the “Paint the Town Gold” awareness campaign or, to make a donation, call Johnson at 334-403-3765, Tony May at 334-282-3734 or Garrett at 334-268-6469.