Good morning! #icecreamforbreakfast #kidsgetcancertoo #sixdegrees @SixDegreesofKB February 18, 2015

Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon)

Today I eat ice cream to honor children who have fought or are fighting cancer, because #kidsgetcancertoo @kevinbacon http://t.co/D2I8I2imJG

— Shawn R Ashmore (@ShawnRAshmore) February 18, 2015

Malia’s mom Annette tells us about Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (CLICK TO LISTEN): Malia Grace is a little girl who will be celebrating her 14th birthday in Heaven tomorrow, February 18th. Malia battled pediatric cancer and passed away in 2010 at the age of 9. One thing she LOVED was having ice cream for breakfast and her family remembers her each year on her birthday by doing just that. Now YOU and your family are invited to do the same thing! Just eat ice cream for breakfast tomorrow in memory of Malia Grace and all those children who are battling cancer, surviving cancer or resting in Heaven with their Savior. Be sure to like Malia Grace’s Facebook page:  (read more)

International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day on a sweet mission:  KXAN.com – AUSTIN (KXAN) — You might not know it, but you’re in for a sweet treat today – for various reasons. It’s International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, all to “support the fighting, remember the resting and party on with the survivors.” It’s meant to spread …

Celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day to honor kids with cancer:   Fox 59 – FOREST LAKE, MN (February 18, 2015) – “Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day” isn’t a holiday created by little kids who wanted to eat dessert for breakfast – this holiday actually has a very special story. According to myfoxdetroit.com, a family created this day to …

Eat ice cream for breakfast to support kids fighting cancer:  MyFox Detroit – ‎A family from Forest Lake, Minnesota is overwhelmed by the worldwide support they’re getting for “Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day” – a day they created to honor their daughter Malia and other kids who have lost their lives to cancer, to support the kids fighting …

It’s national ‘Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day’:  Baltimore Sun – The tradition was started by a Minnesota family who lost their daughter to cancer, in 2010. The 9 year old loved to have ice cream for breakfast. Now, people are sharing their ice creambreakfast all over social media with #icecreamforbreakfast. The tradition …

MN Family Helps Fight Childhood Cancer By Eating Ice Cream For Breakfast:  CBS Local – MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It’s something your mother told you never to do: eat ice cream for breakfast. But one Forest Lake family is asking everyone to eat ice creamWednesday morning. It’s all part of a campaign that’s gone international to remember their…

Bring Me the News: Ice cream for breakfast: Children’s cancer campaign started in MN goes global

As long-term diets go, it’s not the healthiest. But as a once-a-year indulgence to honor a Minnesota girl who lost her life to cancer, “International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day” is a seemingly perfect way to warm hearts across the globe. Annette Peterson, of Forest Lake, started the awareness raising campaign in 2013 in honor of her daughter Malia, who just 9-years-old when she died in December 2010 following a 14-month battle with kidney cancer.  (read more)

Family’s ‘Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day’ meant to honor pediatric cancer …:  Fox News – ‎ A Minnesota family says they are overwhelmed by the amount of people participating in “Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day” meant to honor their daughter who died of cancer, and other pediatric patients fighting the disease. Malia Grace was just 9 when she …

How Eating Ice Cream For Breakfast Helps Kids With Cancer:  POPSUGAR – ‎Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day — which just so happens to be today (if you stuck with bacon and eggs this morning, mark your calendar for Feb. 18, 2016!) — is a new tradition started by a Michigan family in honor of their daughter who died after a battle …

Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast On February 18 For An Incredibly Worthy Cause:  Bustle – ‎If you’ve ever wanted to reach for the Ben & Jerry’s after waking up, this is the day to do it. A family from Forest Lake, Minnesota, has officially made February 18 National EatIce Cream For Breakfast Day in honor of their 9-year-old daughter, Malia Grace …

Ice cream for breakfast: Children’s cancer campaign started in MN goes global:  Rick Kupchella’s BringMeTheNews – ‎But as a once-a-year indulgence to honor a Minnesota girl who lost her life to cancer, “International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day” is a seemingly perfect way to warm hearts across the globe. Annette Peterson, of Forest Lake, started the awareness raising …

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day honors children who have cancer:  Atlanta Journal Constitution – ‎FOREST LAKE, Minn. — Put away that sausage biscuit and save the eggs for another day: Feb. 18 is Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. The holiday is more than an excuse to indulge your sweet tooth. The Peterson family from Forest Lake, Minnesota, started …

Mom Asks You to Feed Your Kids Ice Cream for Breakfast to Honor Child Who …:  The Stir – ‎One family in Minnesota is embracing the saying, “Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first,” in memory of the child they lost to cancer. The Petersons, whose daughter, Malia, died in 2010 after a 14-month battle with kidney cancer, have started Eat Ice Cream for …

Eating Ice Cream For Breakfast Has Its Benefits:  Youth Health Magzine – ‎The event was first celebrated in 2013 with close friends and family through a virtual birthday party for Malia via Facebook, but this year, “Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day” was opened up to other families of children with cancer, according to the publication …

International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day:  National Monitor – ‎To honor their daughter’s memory, the Paterson family has declared this day to be International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. What started two years ago as family and friends posting photos on a Facebook page, has grown into an international campaign.

Kids w/ #cancer have drams too, like #EatIceCreamforBreakfast. Have a scoop this morning. http://t.co/tNgcyiFVIl

— SixDegrees.org (@SixDegreesofKB) February 18, 2015

#WCCO takes part in @eaticecreamday! #kidsgetcancertoo @jamieyuccas @DeRushaJ @Matt_Brickman @KimJohnsonWCCO pic.twitter.com/XNNMmigvZB

— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) February 18, 2015

Showing our support for families of children with cancer. #kidsgetcancertoo #EatIceCreamforBreakfast @eaticecreamday pic.twitter.com/8zfO4UljKs — Kim Johnson (@KimJohnsonWCCO) February 18, 2015

#EatIceCreamforBreakfast #kidsgetcancertoo a sweet excuse to indulge! @CBS5AZ @PaulHortonCBS5 @PatCBS5 @ChelseyCBS5 pic.twitter.com/8yXAv5uZ1m — Nicole Crites CBS 5 (@nicoleCBS5) February 18, 2015

#IceCreamForBreakfast for children who battle childhood cancer @LaurenOnFOX7 & @DaveFonFOX7 #KidsGetCancerToo pic.twitter.com/DvBUw1cfc0 — Amanda Salinas (@AmandaOnFOX7) February 18, 2015

We ate #icecreamforbreakfast @KTIS in honor of Malia Grace http://t.co/VA1onGlpna #kidsgetcancertoo pic.twitter.com/Ar8tV0dMNn — Pam LundellKTIS (@pamlundell) February 18, 2015

A nat’l movement started in MN to help other kids #icecreamforbreakfast Learn more on @MyFOX9 Wednesday morning! pic.twitter.com/MHRLW4oINI

— Dawn Stevens (@DawnStevensFox9) February 18, 2015

Drake LYM does #icecreamforbreakfast – raising awareness for childhood cancer. #kidsgetcancertoo @LoveYourMelon pic.twitter.com/rqMbtKMGdz — DU LYM Campus Crew (@DrakeLYMCrew) February 18, 2015

Honor children w/ cancer by celebrating “Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day”. http://t.co/FGrhkXDOaq has the story. pic.twitter.com/M8lX0a4DLs

— FOX59 News (@FOX59) February 18, 2015

Sometimes you just need to have a little fun and eat ice cream for breakfast. #icecreamforbreakfast #kidsgetcancertoo pic.twitter.com/cAPe8VfIrk

— Max Cure Foundation (@Max_Cure) February 18, 2015

While we are based out of Minnesota, USA., childhood and pediatric cancers are a worldwide problem, so we need worldwide awareness and cures. Below view some key facts about worldwide pediatric cancer and the vast disparities in outcomes for kids based on the country in which they were born into.

When we talk about INTERNATIONAL Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, we mean that we have people from 83 different countries– supporting, remembering & celebrating with us this year! 83 unique, beautiful, sometimes disagreeing, separate government, COUNTRIES!! Behold, the power of ice cream and a love of kids to unite us!

See below for the list of participating countries, please comment if your country is not listed and we will add it!

Behold, the power of ice cream and a love of kids to unite us! #kidsgetcancertoo

Angola
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Latvia
Macao
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
Vietnam

Key facts from the World Health Organization

• Each year, approximately 400 000 children and adolescents of 0-19 years old are diagnosed with cancer. [1]
• The most common types of childhood cancers include leukemias, brain cancers, lymphomas and solid tumours, such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumours.
• In high-income countries, where comprehensive services are generally accessible, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), an estimated 15-45% are cured. [3]
• Childhood cancer cannot generally be prevented or identified through screening.
• Most childhood cancers can be cured with generic medicines and other forms of treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy. Treatment of childhood cancer can be cost-effective in all income settings. [4]
• Avoidable deaths from childhood cancers in LMICs result from lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, obstacles to accessing care, abandonment of treatment, death from toxicity, and higher rates of relapse. [3]
• Childhood cancer data systems are needed to drive continuous improvements in the quality of care, and to inform policy decisions.

Key facts

• Each year, approximately 400 000 children and adolescents of 0-19 years old are diagnosed with cancer. [1]
• The most common types of childhood cancers include leukemias, brain cancers, lymphomas and solid tumours, such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumours.
• In high-income countries, where comprehensive services are generally accessible, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), an estimated 15-45% are cured. [3]
• Childhood cancer cannot generally be prevented or identified through screening.
• Most childhood cancers can be cured with generic medicines and other forms of treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy. Treatment of childhood cancer can be cost-effective in all income settings. [4]
• Avoidable deaths from childhood cancers in LMICs result from lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, obstacles to accessing care, abandonment of treatment, death from toxicity, and higher rates of relapse. [3]
• Childhood cancer data systems are needed to drive continuous improvements in the quality of care, and to inform policy decisions.

The problem

Cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents, particularly in high-income countries.  The likelihood of surviving a diagnosis of childhood cancer depends on the country in which the child lives: in high-income countries, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured, but in many LMICs only 15-45% are cured [3].

The reasons for lower survival rates in LMICs include: delay in diagnosis and advanced disease, an inability to obtain an accurate diagnosis, inaccessible therapy, abandonment of treatment, death from toxicity (side effects), and avoidable relapse. Improving access to childhood cancer care, including to essential medicines and technologies, is highly cost effective, feasible and can improve survival in all settings [4].

This event is really all about supporting some pretty incredible kids with cancer, and not about the ice cream (even though it’s pretty awesome too) and here’s why:

A cancer momma sent this to me, “ My daughter, Sophia, was diagnosed with Epenymoma brain cancer and endured multiple resections and shunt replacements. She woke up from her last surgery and shocked us by asking for ice cream. She had a feeding tube in place for 8 months and had been refusing to eat. I was just about at my breaking point. I will never ever forget that day. I actually sobbed when she asked for ice cream.”

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is about being childlike and about meeting kids where they are at and rejoicing if they want to eat anything at all during treatment.

So, on February 18th, we encourage you to use whatever substitutions you wish as you support the fighting, remember the resting and party on with the survivors.

If you eat:

• Paleo
• Keto
• Vegetarian
• Sugar Free
• Vegan
• Gluten Free
• Dairy Free
• Kosher
• Halal

Or have:

• Lactose Intolerance
• A Peanut or Dairy Allergy
• Diabetes
• Celiac Disease

Everyone can find a safe alternative and enjoy the spirit of our eat “ice cream” for breakfast day.

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Below are some great ice cream alternative recipes, but the sky is the limit.

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Survivors and their parents are often seen as the victors, and indeed they are. They get to live to fight another day, but as this poem by childhood cancer survivor Yuval so eloquently expresses, it is not an easy road no matter the outcome of your Childs cancer diagnosis.

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The Other Side of Cancer

It’s literally a trip through hell.
If you are lucky, your journey will be an uphill ride
Through Dante’s Inferno.

As you pedal breathlessly toward the top,
Stones slam into you from every direction, tearing you to pieces.
And deadly fires close in on you, scorching your soul.

The dizzying twists and turns make you sick again and again.
And again.
Inevitably, you fall from time to time
Gathering scars.

But somehow, you climb back on
Willingly accepting the painful road
As the price of hope.

You are equally tortured
Watching the suffering of your peers
Who seem to crash down just as you pull yourself up.
And you can only pray that they too will be able to get back on
And follow in pursuit of the finish line.

Then, by some miracle, you get there
To the outer edge of hell.
You climb out and anticipate the feel of the smooth ground under your feet.

But you find that the hell hole
Remains wide open just behind you.
It follows you wherever you go.
But the normal people can’t see it.
Only those who have been there see the truth.

The normal people congratulate you on your safe return from the netherworld.
And then return to their normal business.
Expecting you to follow with the same balance and confidence.
After all, you are back and it’s time to move on.

They don’t get how treacherous is the invisible precipice;
How you never know if and when you might fall back in;
How you never stop hearing those monsters taunting from below.

What can you do but try to smile
And pray to keep your balance —
— Like a tightrope-walking clown.
Obligated to keep the masses happy,
While unsuccessfully trying not to look down.

© Jackie Rosenzveig, November 2014