Gold ribbons will rest on many lapels this Saturdayas it marks the beginning of Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

Every day families and their loved ones face diagnoses and fights with this disease. According to the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer 2010 statistics, more than 140 children will be diagnosed with cancer this year, 300 children will be under active treatment and 20 children will receive blood or bone marrow transplants.

While these statistics focus on Alabama as a whole, this issue has even affected local families in Demopolis. We, at The Demopolis Times, plan to tell several stories of families in this community and their fight against childhood cancer.

Look for the first story this Wednesday.