Just as my eccentric high school biology teacher would repeatedly remind me, "Don't miss the forest for the trees." Or perhaps a more appropriate lesson would be, "Don't miss the lives for the mustaches." This is no doubt a fun event, which is a big reason why we all have decided to support some glorious whiskers; however it's only part of the big picture.

• Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease (non-accidental death) in the US for children under 15 years of age.†
• The incidence of invasive childhood cancer has increased slightly over the past 30 years, however, the 5 year survival rates have dramatically improved from less than 50% before the 1970s to nearly 80% today.†
• Leukemias (blood cell cancers), brain and other central nervous system (CNS) cancers account for over half of all new childhood cancer cases.†
• Each year in the United States, more children die of cancer than of asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital abnormalities, and AIDS combined.†

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center treats more pediatric and young adult cancer patients than any other institution in the world. Learn more about their efforts in pediatric cancer care here, and about the institution at www.mskcc.org.

The mustaches within these pages are making a statement; even though no child deserves cancer, those who are diagnosed definitely deserve the best care and the best chance at a cure available. Sadly, these two basic rights aren't immediately and easily available to all the patients who deserve them. Before you go put your congressperson's administrative secretary on the business end of hastily written internet correspondence, sign up for the cause and watch the effects. The research and care funded by your donation will directly ensure progress towards these goals. So, grow forth with confidence and purpose!

† www.cancer.gov and The NCI monograph, Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program, 1975-1995.