International Childhood Cancer Day
Hello readers. Thanks for reading my numerous awareness blogs. I feel that it is important to be aware of these events. As part of my campaign to create more disability awareness in the media, I am researching different forms of awareness events and writings blogs on them. This way, through the media, we can open the public’s awareness on our own social media.
Earlier this month, I wrote a blog on World Cancer Day. Today is another Cancer Awareness day. This day is International Childhood Cancer Day. “International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families” (Childhood Cancer International). Children and adolescents who suffer from cancer deserve our support.
The ribbon color for this day is a gold color. Why gold? Because children, like gold, is precious. “Gold goes through a process by fire, to become stronger and tougher. Kids with childhood cancer similarly undergo such an experience. They often develop resiliency by facing all the difficult and painful challenges of childhood cancer” (Childhood Cancer International). A beautiful and haunting symbol for a likewise haunting journey.
It is always heartbreaking to hear of a loved one having Cancer, Even more so when that loved one is a child. Over 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year. 4000,000! That is almost half a million young lives afflicted with Cancer. Survival rates vary from country to country. Some areas are as high as 80 %, whereas sadly others have a survival rate as low as 20%. Why such a low percentage in other countries? Oftentimes it is due to lack of proper healthcare and lack of awareness. Many do not have the proper financial means to access these life-saving treatments. The WHO Global Childhood Cancer Initiative hopes to someday achieve by 2030 a survival rate of 60% for children with cancer everywhere. No matter what country.
Thus, The International Childhood Cancer Day was formed. “This annual event was created in 2002 by Childhood Cancer International, a global network of 176 parent organizations, childhood cancer survivor associations, childhood cancer support groups, and cancer societies, in over 93 countries, across 5 continents” (Childhood Cancer International). By creating this day, the organization hopes to bring the best medical care available for every child and adolescent no matter their race, finances, social class, or country. With early and exact diagnosis and accessibility to medical care, more childhood cancer deaths can be avoided.
How can you help? Like many awareness events, you can help by spreading awareness through your social media. Help advocate for those who at too early a stage in their lives suffer the ravages of cancer. The World Childhood Cancer Organization has a few marathons in London to run and support. Or, if you don’t feel like traveling, the organization has a fundraising pack to download for those who wish to fundraise.
Hopefully, someday we can make a world where every child can have the means to fight cancer and conquer it.
Photo Credits
(Photo Credit: Childhood Cancer International)
(Photo Credit: "Children Healthcare and World cancer day concept. Gold ribbon in a female hand" by wuestenigel is licensed under CC BY 2.0 )
(Photo Credit: "Children Battling Cancer Hosted at Ramon AFB" by Israel Defense Forces is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)
(Photo Credit: "Children Battling Cancer Hosted at Ramon AFB" by Israel Defense Forces is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)
(Photo Credit: World Childhood Cancer)