September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honour and remember children and families affected by this devastating disease, and help rally support to give Children with Cancer better outcomes by supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness.
Each September, we make an extra special effort to raise awareness of childhood cancer, the impact that a diagnosis can have, and how the Little Fighters Cancer Trust’s essential work helps young cancer patients and their families.
Families, Caregivers, Charities, Non-Profit Organisations, and Research groups across the globe observe September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
With a goal to increase awareness and raise funds for those affected by childhood cancer, Little Fighters Cancer Trust encourages everyone to Go Gold® during September in honour and in memory of Children with Cancer!
Childhood cancer is devastating to the growth and development of children, and devastating to their families and friends. At a time when young people should be focusing on school, play, and socialising, if they have cancer, their focus can be on medication, operations, and what life they have left.
Parents of childhood cancer sufferers have the anguish of watching their children suffer, the stress of decisions on medications and treatments as well as decisions on time of work for themselves and time off school for the child. Even worse, trying to explain to a child what is happening to them and answering the resulting questions on life and faith, and worst of all is the loss of a child to cancer, devastation that can never be put right.
Some forms of cancer are mainly or exclusively only seen in children, and that is something highlighted by the awareness month. Children can be more resilient to cancer and cancer treatments than adults, and there are many cases of triumph and complete recovery, where children make a complete recovery and grow up to normal life. But awareness, education, and support are vital, which is why Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is also vital.
Although childhood cancer is relatively rare, the incidence rate has been increasing.
- Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among children and adolescents worldwide; approximately 280,000 children ages 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year.
- The overall incidence of childhood cancer is on the increase, averaging 0.8% increase per year since 1975.
- Childhood cancer is not one disease – there are more than 12 major types of pediatric cancers and over 100 subtypes.
- In high-income countries, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured, but in many low- and middle-income countries, the cure rate is about 20%
- The impact of childhood cancer translates into years of life lost, more significant inequalities, and economic difficulties. This situation can and should change.
- Cancer in children and young adults is different from cancer that develops later in life. Some of the unwanted side effects of cancer treatments cause more harm to children than they do to adults. This is because children’s bodies are still growing and developing, so cancer and its treatment are more likely to affect developing organs.
- More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a significant health-related issue by the time they are 45 years of age; these health-related issues are side effects of either the cancer or more commonly, the result of its treatment. 1/3 rd. will suffer severe and chronic side effects; 1/3rd will suffer moderate to severe health problems, and 1/3rd will suffer slight to moderate side effects.
- Cognitive impairment affects up to one-third of childhood cancer survivors.
A Month of Movement is a September initiative that aims to encourage you to move more for the month of September and raise vital funds for research into children’s cancers as you go.
How YOU Can Help
- Share our posts on any social media using the hashtags #GoGoldSeptember, #ChildCancerAwareness, #Cure4ChildCancer, and #SupportKidsWithCancer
- Share LFCTs Early Warning Signs poster (click on poster to get a large version) far and wide across all media to make people aware.
- DONATE to a worthy cause and help us help our Little Fighters & their Families with basic foodstuffs, clothes, blankets, and much more…
Come back regularly during this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month as the Little Fighters Cancer Trust will be sharing more information regarding Childhood Cancer, Childhood Cancer Awareness and how you can help our Little Fighters and their Families.
