National BraveHearts Day – Apr. 28, 2027

National BraveHearts Day
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Awareness
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United States
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Every April 28
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National BraveHearts Day recognizes the profound strength of children and families battling pediatric cancer every April 28. This day honors their bravery, resilience, and unwavering spirit in the face of immense challenges. Join us to support these courageous individuals, raise critical awareness, and contribute to life-saving research initiatives.

Want to sponsor National BraveHearts Day? Learn how

Expected National BraveHearts Day Deals

While National BraveHearts Day isn’t focused on commercial deals, it’s a vital time for fundraising and awareness campaigns that support pediatric cancer research and patient care. Organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation often partner with corporations for donation drives, matching gift programs, and special events. Many retailers, including Target and Amazon, feature round-up-at-checkout options or dedicated product lines where a portion of sales benefits childhood cancer charities. Look for local businesses hosting benefit walks or selling themed merchandise from brands like Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. We encourage you to visit the official websites of these and other reputable charities to find direct ways to contribute and make a difference.

Platform Guide for National BraveHearts Day

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #BraveHeartsDay. Share stories of resilience from your organization or highlight employee involvement in related causes.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #BraveHeartsDay. Share personal stories, host a live Q&A with a medical professional, or organize a virtual support group.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BraveHeartsDay. Post inspiring photos or videos of children and families, share facts about pediatric cancer, or highlight fundraising efforts.

Social Media Tips for National BraveHearts Day

Individuals

Wear gold or yellow to show your support, share a message of hope on your social media, or make a donation to a pediatric cancer charity. Consider reaching out to a family you know who has been affected.

Creators

Produce a short documentary or interview series highlighting the stories of brave children and their families. Create educational content about early detection or the importance of research, encouraging donations.

Brands

Launch a limited-edition product with proceeds benefiting a pediatric cancer foundation. Organize a company-wide fundraising challenge, or use your platform to amplify the voices of affected families and partner organizations.

Organizations & Brands for National BraveHearts Day

  1. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

    Founded in 1962 by Danny Thomas, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, is a leading institution dedicated to treating and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food.

  2. Make-A-Wish Foundation

    Established in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. These wishes provide hope, strength, and joy to children and their families during challenging times, often involving travel, meeting celebrities, or receiving special gifts.

  3. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

    Inspired by Alexandra 'Alex' Scott, who started a lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research, this foundation began in 2000. It funds impactful research, raises awareness, and supports families affected by childhood cancer.

  4. Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

    Founded in 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is a non-profit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. They support 170 hospitals, which treat 10 million children annually, including many battling pediatric cancer.

  5. Target

    A major American retail corporation, Target frequently engages in philanthropic efforts, including partnerships with various health and children's charities. They often facilitate in-store donation campaigns and provide grants to support community health initiatives, including those focused on pediatric cancer.

  6. Amazon

    The global e-commerce giant, Amazon, supports numerous charitable causes through programs like AmazonSmile (now retired but similar efforts continue) and direct partnerships. They often host fundraising campaigns for health-related organizations, providing a platform for customers to contribute to pediatric cancer research and support.

  7. Panera Bread

    Known for its bakery-cafes, Panera Bread has a history of community involvement and fundraising. They often participate in local and national campaigns, including those supporting children's health. Their 'Day End Dough-Nation' program also donates unsold baked goods to local charities.

National BraveHearts Day Hero

Dr. Donald Pinkel

Dr. Donald Pinkel (1926-2022) was a pioneering pediatric oncologist who revolutionized the treatment of childhood leukemia. As the first medical director of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, he developed the 'total therapy' approach in the 1960s, which combined chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments. This groundbreaking method dramatically increased survival rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia from virtually zero to over 50%, transforming a previously fatal disease into a treatable condition and offering hope to countless families.

History of National BraveHearts Day

Fighting cancer is extremely hard at the best of times; imagine if you were doing it alone! Now imagine how much worse this situation is for a child who is affected. Families dealing with pediatric cancer need all the support and love they can get.

Amy and Jeremy Jacobs knew how lonely this fight could be; after all, they had been through this exact situation when their toddler was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor. To help and support others like them who were faced with a pediatric cancer diagnosis, they launched the BraveHearts For Kids organization. They offer help, support, guidance, and resources completely free of cost and use all the money from individual contributions across various support programs.

This organization founded National BraveHearts Day to help people recognize the kids, parents, loved ones, and others who care for these heroes. Now, each year, April 28 is observed as National BraveHearts Day.

National BraveHearts Day timeline

2000s
The News that Launched an Idea

Amy and Jeremy Jacobs' daughter Ava is diagnosed with a brain tumor at 13 months of age.

2008
First Comes The Foundation

The Jacobs’ set up the BraveHearts For Kids organization to support people fighting pediatric cancer.

2015
A Special Day is Born

BraveHearts For Kids initiates National BraveHearts Day, which is observed on April 28 each year.

2019
Finally, We Have The App

The organization launches the Spotlight Hope app, which connects people to free resources to help navigate each stage of their pediatric cancer journey.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National BraveHearts Day

Local businesses can honor National BraveHearts Day by organizing donation drives or dedicating a portion of their sales on April 28 to a pediatric cancer charity. Restaurants might feature a special ‘BraveHearts Meal’ with proceeds going to a local children’s hospital. Retailers could offer a discount to customers who donate or host an in-store awareness event, providing educational materials about childhood cancer. Partnering with a local foundation or hospital can amplify impact and show genuine community support for these courageous children and their families.

National BraveHearts Day FAQs

When is National BraveHearts Day?

In 2027, National BraveHearts Day is observed on a Wednesday, April 28, providing another important opportunity to recognize the incredible bravery of young cancer patients and their support networks.

How many children are diagnosed with cancer each year?

Globally, over 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year, highlighting the widespread need for research, treatment, and support. Survival rates have significantly improved in developed countries over recent decades.

What are the most common types of pediatric cancer?

While leukemia remains the most prevalent, other common forms of childhood cancer are sarcomas (bone and soft tissue cancers), Wilms tumor (kidney cancer), and retinoblastoma (eye cancer). Each type presents unique challenges and treatment protocols.

What is the significance of the gold ribbon for childhood cancer?

Choosing gold as the symbol for childhood cancer was intentional, aiming to reflect the preciousness of children and the high value placed on finding cures. It serves as a powerful visual reminder of the ongoing fight against pediatric cancer.

How To Observe National BraveHearts Day

  1. Talk about its significance

    It is a day dedicated to children fighting cancer and everyone affected by it. The more you share awareness about this day, the more lives you can touch.

  2. Spread the word about the Spotlight app

    If you’ve come across anyone who could benefit from the resources the Spotlight app provides, let them know. No one should have to battle this illness alone.

  3. Extend your support

    Know someone fighting childhood cancer? Be generous with your time; let them know your support and care are always with them.

Facts About National BraveHearts Day

  1. Some types of pediatric cancer occur more frequently

    The most common kind of cancer is leukemia, which is cancer of the bone and marrow.

  2. Pediatric cancer research influences adult cancer treatment

    Multiple treatments used in adult cancers, like combination chemotherapy, can be traced to research conducted for childhood cancer.

  3. Children are diagnosed all the time

    Every three minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer, worldwide.

  4. It causes many deaths

    Childhood cancer is the cause of 90,000 annual deaths in the world.

  5. Most diagnoses are curable

    If diagnosed and treated early, about 70% of childhood cancers are curable.

Why National BraveHearts Day is Important

  1. You can show your support

    Celebrating the courage of those facing pediatric cancer can make this journey more bearable for them, lifting their spirits and spreading joy. Knowledge of this day and the bravehearts it represents goes a long way towards helping affected families and loved ones cope. Plus, you can be proud that you are part of the solution and are helping to make someone’s life better in any way you can.

  2. Spreading awareness about a noble cause

    You are not only supporting those in times of need but helping more people learn about childhood cancer. So go forth and share your knowledge!

  3. Build a stronger cancer-support community

    You can support the pediatric cancer community, giving them the benefit of your knowledge, your actions, and even your time. Having this community of people to fall back on gives cancer patients hope for the future and helps them feel like they are part of a bigger whole.

National BraveHearts Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 April 28 Wednesday
2028 April 28 Friday
2029 April 28 Saturday
2030 April 28 Sunday
2031 April 28 Monday