Big names with big hearts are coming to Sioux Falls for the third year in a row. The 605 Pop Culture Con event will be held for two days at the Sioux Falls Convention center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 20 and 21. 605 Pop Culture Con brings fans together to raise money to fight children’s cancer. Working with local partners, and many joint members of the 621st Detention Squad of the 501st Legion, local pop culture fans partner with celebrity guests and many local charities to raise money to fight kid’s cancer.
This year, the 605 Pop Culture Con will feature Rosario Dawson (Star Wars: Ahsoka & The Mandalorian) and Anthony Starr (Homelander from Amazon’s The Boys) as well as the NFL’s Lawrence Taylor, Star Trek’s George Takei, Novelist and beloved Star Wars author Timothy Zahn and the man who brought Zahn’s beloved character Grand Admiral Thrawn to live action Lars Mikkelsen; as well as the voice cast of breakaway hit show Rick and Morty!
Voices Against Cancer is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for pediatrics, pediatric cancer, and pediatric cancer research. Children are our future, and the future is worth fighting for.
Almost 50 children are diagnosed with cancer EVERY day in the U.S., with survival rates differing for different types of childhood cancers – but overall, childhood cancer remains the most common cause of death by disease among children in the U.S.
Even though the most common types of childhood cancers are leukemias and brain/central nervous system cancers, there are more then 12 major types of childhood cancers and over 100 subtypes. Sadly, current statistics show that 1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. will not survive.
With only about 4% of all federal funding for cancer research going to projects involving children’s cancers, it is up to us to make a difference and to help #GiveKidsAVoice. Childhood cancer also impacts the entire family – the child going through treatment, the siblings who support and also need support as they are at risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties, and the parents who will sometimes lose up to 50% of their annual household income as a result of childhood cancer treatment-related work disruptions or having to quit their job to care for their child.
One of the major goals of childhood cancer research is to deal with side-effects of cancer treatment which can range widely from minor to severe, and they are dependent on a child’s specific treatments. Because kids are still growing and developing during cancer treatment, and these treatments are so harsh, many survivors face late-effects years or even decades after treatment is over. Better treatment, better protocols, and better options are needed today.
Majority of the funding that we use to support pediatrics, pediatric cancer, and pediatric cancer research comes from our Annual Voices Against Cancer Initiative. The Voices Against Cancer Initiative will include a host of exceptional talent who have epically rallied together to battle this horrible disease. These celebrities have been the defining voices of generations representing many different genres and franchises. In addition to iconic voice and screen actors, there will also be numerous costumed performers for photo opportunities, original artwork from amazingly talented artists, one-of-a kind silent auction items, and vendors selling items for you to get signed. The local Sioux Empire St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving Event will be going on at the same time as another show of support for children battling cancer.
We would be honored for you to join us! Visit www.voicesagainstcancer.org for more!
