TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States.

That’s according to the CDC, and Hoosier families are working to raise awareness.

Thursday, Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett issued a proclamation that recognized September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Jessica Jackson is a member of the Indiana working group for the American Childhood Cancer Organization and was in attendance during Thursday’s news conference. Jackson’s 12-year-old son is a two-time cancer survivor.

Jackson said she wants the public to be more aware of the impact childhood cancer has.

“A lot of people, I think, overlook childhood cancer. Sometimes they don’t realize it’s as much of a problem as it really is,” Jackson said. “The awareness getting out there to the community just helps people realize to help raise money also because awareness leads to the funding that is needed for childhood cancer.”

A Jeep event called Cruising Out Childhood Cancer in Cory will be held as part of the Cory Apple Festival on September 24. The event will raise money for cancer research at Riley Hospital for Children.

To purchase tickets to the event visit their website here.