International Childhood Cancer Day 2012

Today, The 15 of February is International Childhood Cancer Day 2012. This is a day to turn your thoughts and attention to children suffering from cancer all over the world and, to show support for them as well as their families.

The day is marked by local activities, information and, fundraising all over the world.

Each year, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and about 90,000 die from the disease. With prompt and effective treatment, most childhood cancers can be cured – but global statistics expose a shocking disparity - in developed countries, around 80% of children with cancer survive, but in low resource settings this figure falls to 20% or even 10% in the world's poorest countries.

Poor diagnosis coupled with too few specially trained doctors and nurses and the mistaken belief that child cancer is too difficult to cure combine to create very low survival rates. In fact, at least 50% of child cancers can be cured even in resource-poor environments with relatively simple and inexpensive drugs and procedures which have been known to doctors for decades and, yet tens of thousands of children die needlessly every year from the disease - most dying without any effective pain relief. .

The "international childhood cancer day" day was established in 2002 by The International Confederation of Cancer Parent Organizations (ICCCPO) to raise awareness of the importance of early detection and diagnosis in the treatment outcome of childhood cancer all over the world.

The International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations (ICCCPO) was set up in 1994 and is an umbrella organisation currently representing 148 parent organisations in 81 countries.

The experience of a child undergoing cancer treatment is traumatic, distressing and isolating for parents and siblings as well as the patient. The impact on the whole family has been well understood by health professionals for many years, as has, the medical needs of the child, but also the necessity to provide services which look after the emotional and social needs of the family of the child.

Parent support groups have been formed over the past thirty years to provide information and practical, emotional and financial support for families to enable them to cope with the difficulties associated with lengthy treatment - often many miles from home.

To treat certain cancers in low and middle income countries can cost a fraction of the price of treatment in the developed world due to the treatment used and technology available. Therefore, anything you can fundraise or donate will have a significant impact on children’s lives.

Support World Child Cancer today!