Held on February 15 each year.
Campaign Summary
Raising awareness of childhood cancer and its impact worldwide. Families and childhood cancer communities in developed countries helping families struck by childhood cancer in less developed countries, towards a day when all children can receive essential care, no matter where they live.
Awareness of childhood cancer remains limited around the world. 90% of children are diagnosed with advanced (stage 3 or 4) cancer. Although 80% of children survive today in developed countries, most require intensive therapy due to late diagnosis.
The strides made in childhood cancer in the last half-century are huge, but they have benefited less than 1 in 5 children in the world. 85% of children with cancer (90% of children with retinoblastoma) live in developing countries, and most die due to lack of access to information, specialist medical care and family support.
A volunteer describes this tragedy: “it is one of the saddest experiences to witness children and parents unable and unmotivated to fight the battle any longer, just waiting in despair for the inevitable to happen – knowing that with funding from those able to help, the outcome could be so different”.
