September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Children’s Cancer Network is giving Arizona a few meaningful ways to show up for families navigating childhood cancer: stock the pantry, grab a seat at the fashion show and help ease some of the everyday pressure that comes with treatment.
The Chandler-based nonprofit’s “Pack the Pantry Shelf by Shelf” drive runs Sept. 1 through 30, and its Stars of Hope Fashion Show and Luncheon is on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The pantry effort comes from a very real need. A Dana-Farber Cancer Institute study cited by CCN found that 62% of parents of children undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia reported cutting back on groceries as a financial coping strategy. National research also found that one in three families experienced serious financial hardship affecting basics like food, housing and utilities during treatment.
CCN launched a pilot food pantry in September 2025, and demand has grown fast. The program now serves 50 families each month, more than double the number served when it began.
“Since opening our food pantry, we have expanded the program to meet the growing demand for support. We are now serving 50 families each month, more than double the number of families served when the program began. But the need continues to grow, and Children’s Cancer Network is committed to ensuring that no Arizona family navigating childhood cancer has to choose between putting food on the table and paying for the costs of cancer treatment,” says Patti Luttrell, CCN executive director and co-founder.
Throughout September, individuals, clubs, businesses and community groups can choose a pantry shelf to fill with nonperishable items. Categories include breakfast foods, pasta, rice and noodles, snacks, protein, beans and legumes, basic necessities and diapers.
CCN’s goal is to collect enough food to help 150 families.
“Whether your team collects cereal for Breakfast Boost, peanut butter for Protein Power or pasta for Pasta Place, every donation helps families facing childhood cancer put meals on the table,” Luttrell says.
Donations can be dropped off Sept. 1 through 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Children’s Cancer Network, 6150 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 1, in Chandler. Donors can also call 480-398-1564 to make an appointment or shop directly from CCN’s Amazon wishlist.
Then on Sept. 12, the focus shifts from pantry shelves to the runway.
CCN’s Stars of Hope Fashion Show and Luncheon runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Chandler headquarters, with young childhood cancer survivors and their siblings stepping in as models. Scheels is donating the clothing for the show. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at ccnstars2026.givesmart.com.
It’s a feel-good event with real purpose behind it, and a reminder that supporting families through childhood cancer can look like a stocked pantry, a lunch ticket or simply showing up for the kids at center stage.
Insider Takeaways
- Children’s Cancer Network’s “Pack the Pantry Shelf by Shelf” drive runs Sept. 1 through 30 in Chandler.
- The pantry now serves 50 families each month, more than double the number served when the pilot launched in September 2025. CCN hopes to collect enough nonperishable food to support 150 families.
- Donations can include breakfast foods, pasta, snacks, protein, beans and legumes, basic needs and diapers.
- The Stars of Hope Fashion Show and Luncheon takes place Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with young cancer survivors and their siblings modeling clothing donated by Scheels. Fashion show tickets are $65.
To learn more, visit childrenscancernetwork.org. Fashion show tickets are available at ccnstars2026.givesmart.com, and pantry donations can be purchased through CCN’s Amazon wishlist.
