September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Charlie’s Story

Written by: Natalie Steuer, Childhood Cancer Awareness Advocate

September usually brings cozy, familiar rhythms – kids back in school, cooler evening air drifting in through open windows, and the first hints of autumn. But for thousands of families across the nation, September carries a deeper meaning. It is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time when we come together to honor children in treatment, celebrate survivors, and remember those who have passed. Gold is the color of childhood cancer awareness – chosen because it represents how precious children are.

Since 2012, this month has served as both a rallying point and a reminder: awareness matters. Awareness alone won’t stop new diagnoses from happening today or tomorrow, but it sparks something powerful. It fuels research. It shapes advocacy. It builds community. And most importantly, it ensures no family walks this journey alone.

Throughout the month, you’ll hear directly from Iowa families who have walked the childhood cancer journey – they remind us that behind every statistic is a child with a name, a smile, and a future worth fighting for. This September, let’s make Iowa shine in gold—not just in color, but in compassion, advocacy, and hope. First, we will meet Charlie and hear his cancer story shared by his mother Marti.

Interview with Marti:

Can you share a little about your child—what makes them unique beyond their cancer journey? Charlie is unique in ways that go far beyond his cancer journey. He doesn’t like a lot of attention and has a quiet resilience that shows up in how he approaches life. He has a very dry, witty sense of humor that keeps us laughing, often when we least expect it. Charlie is smart and independent, with a love for building—whether that’s with Legos or in the worlds he creates on Minecraft. He’s fascinated by animals, especially reptiles and sharks, and dreams of becoming a herpetologist one day. Family means everything to him—his twin brother, David, is his best friend, and he looks up to his big sister, Marie, with deep admiration. All these pieces together make Charlie who he is: thoughtful, funny, curious, and quietly strong.
How did you first learn about your child’s diagnosis, and what do you wish others understood about that moment? The moment of diagnosis doesn’t always happen all at once. Sometimes it’s a slow, uneasy dawning that only becomes undeniable truth when the tests come back. What I remember most from that time was a quiet, persistent unease that kept telling me something was wrong. Even though there were hardly any visible signs the unease inside me kept growing. Eventually, that inner voice got so loud that I knew we needed to have him seen by our family provider. | During that visit, I remember telling the provider I thought Charlie had leukemia and the look of surprise on her face. We’ll always be grateful that she truly listened, because she ordered the tests that began to confirm our fears and showed Charlie needed urgent medical attention. That very night, we drove several hours to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, where Charlie was admitted to Floor 11—the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology unit. | It was after midnight by the time we got to Charlie’s room. I remember the nurse practitioner coming in and sitting with us, gently but directly saying, ‘You need to get used to saying, Charlie has cancer.’ Several days later, we received the confirmed diagnosis: Charlie had B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). | Our experience of this time was very layered—the mix of uncertainty, fear, and then the undeniable reality of test results. It wasn’t just one sudden realization; it was a gradual building, a shift from suspicion to confirmation. And once that confirmation came, life was forever divided into a before and an after.

What has been the hardest part of your family’s journey, and what has helped you get through it? One of the hardest parts of Charlie’s treatment was his initial hospital admission. Everything changed in an instant, and while family stepped in to care for his siblings, being separated from them for the first time was incredibly hard. We were overwhelmed with worry about Charlie, but also knew his brother and sister were also scared without us there to comfort them. In that moment, I realized I had no control except to take things one day at a time—and accepting that truth is what helped me get through.
How has your community (school, friends, neighbors, or even strangers) supported you along the way? Our community has been nothing short of amazing. From the very beginning, our parish surrounded us with prayers and even held a fundraiser for Charlie and our family—and to this day, they continue to pray for him every Sunday. Charlie’s classmates were also incredible; when he had to miss a semester of school, they made sure he wasn’t forgotten and sent messages of encouragement that lifted his spirits. Beyond that, our community came together with fundraisers, and local nonprofit groups reached out with support and kindness. If we ever doubted the goodness in the world, this experience showed us just how much kindness, generosity, and compassion truly exist. At times it was overwhelming, but more than anything, we felt loved and cared for. What touches us even now—more than three and a half years after Charlie’s diagnosis—is that people still ask about him. That ongoing care means so much to our family.
What are some common misconceptions about childhood cancer you’d like to clear up? One thing we bumped into was people being surprised by how long Charlie’s treatment lasted. There may be a misconception that childhood cancer is a one-size-fits-all experience, when in reality there are many different types with very different treatments. For Charlie, it was more like a marathon than a sprint, with treatment lasting just over two years and touching every part of our lives. Another misconception is the idea that there’s a ‘good’ kind of cancer to have. While some cancers may have different prognosis, there is no such thing as a good cancer to have. Treatments are difficult, ask so much of children, and can leave side effects that last well into adulthood.
How has this experience changed your perspective on life, parenting, or advocacy? So much of what we thought mattered before Charlie’s diagnosis no longer feels important. Our perspective has shifted—we focus more on the present and on enjoying the time we have together as a family. Early on, we made a promise to ourselves that no matter the outcome of Charlie’s treatment, we wanted to walk alongside other families facing childhood cancer and offer support in ways that made sense. Today, that means raising awareness, connecting with other families and parent advocates, and working with state legislators to push for cancer funding in Iowa.
If you could share one piece of advice with another parent just beginning this journey, what would it be? If I could give one piece of advice to another parent just beginning this journey, it would be to be careful about where you get your information. It’s so tempting to Google everything, but it can quickly lead you down overwhelming rabbit holes. Try to lean on the information provided by your child’s health care team, and if you need more clarity, consider reaching out to another trusted medical facility rather than the internet. I’d also remind parents to be patient and kind with themselves. While you’re caring for your child, you have to remember to care for yourself, too.
What do you hope people take away from your child’s story during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month? What I hope people take away from Charlie’s story is that childhood cancer is real, it’s hard, and it affects the whole family—but it’s also a story of strength, resilience, and community. No child should have to go through this, and yet so many do. Our family’s journey is just one among many, and raising awareness is a way to honor all kids who are fighting, those who have survived, and those we’ve lost. I hope people come away with a greater understanding of how important research and support are, and that even small acts of kindness—prayers, checking in, showing up—truly make a difference for families like ours.

Childhood cancer may be rare, but for the families like Charlie’s, it changes everything. This September, you can help make a difference. Wear gold, share stories, and start conversations. Advocate for better research and resources. Most of all, honor these children by letting their voices be heard. Together, we can turn awareness into action—and action into hope.

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About the Author

Natalie Steuer has been a dedicated advocate for childhood cancer ever since her son was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer at age 3. He was treated at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative was critical in his treatment. He needed genomic testing, which helped determine which chemotherapies would be most effective. Parents and caregivers play a vital role in their child’s cancer treatment, and Natalie encourages everyone to empower themselves with information.