Did you know that each year more than 12,000 children and teenagers will
be diagnosed with cancer? Did you also know that one in every 330 Americans
develops cancer before the age of 20? Due to statistics such as these, Optimist
Clubs are encouraged to participate in this program by building awareness
of the disease, providing assistance to childhood cancer patients and their
families and supporting research to find a cure.
The CCC program model is built to accentuate four areas of service on which
Members can focus:
Support to children diagnosed and receiving treatment for cancer
Support to families and care partners of children with cancer
Taking Steps Toward a Cure
Optimist International will be hosting an organization-wide walk to promote childhood cancer awareness and raise much needed funds. All Clubs are asked to sponsor a CCC Walk during June, Optimist International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This show of unified support will demonstrate the organization's mission to "be the leading force to rid the world of childhood cancer."
Optimist
Cancer Research Initiative with Johns Hopkins
Optimist International has met a $1 million commitment to fund an Endowed Research
Fellowship at Johns Hopkins. Clubs may donate funds restricted
to CCC Research to play an important role in
finding the cure.
In the video below, a young cancer survivor talks about what Optimist International's contributions to Johns Hopkins have meant to her personally. The video was shown at the 2010 Optimist International Convention.
Matching
Grants
The Matching Grants program is open to Optimist Clubs and Districts to complete and submit an application requesting assistance with
various CCC projects and fundraisers. The application is
reviewed by the CCC Advisory Panels and a determination is made. Grants are
awarded to Clubs and Districts that raise money or provide additional funds
for the CCC-focused project.
CCC
at Every Level
The CCC program is designed for Member involvement on the Club, Zone and
District levels. Each Club and District is asked to appoint a CCC Chair.
All CCC Club materials are also applicable to JOOI Members. Program materials
and CCC resources
can be accessed through this website by clicking on the links or by contacting
the Programs Department.
For information contact the CCC via e-mail at ccc@optimist.org
or call (800) 500-8130, ext. 235.
