World Childhood Cancer Day: February 15th is a particularly sensitive day. It is the day when the whole planet bows to the heroic kids who are fighting childhood cancer.
On the occasion of World Children’s Cancer Day, a touching animated video entitled “Love Never Lets Us Down” was created on behalf of the Cancer De Barretos Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, an internationally renowned hospital for the treatment of children’s cancer.
This particular hospital was renamed the Hospital of Love to highlight the therapeutic importance of love and affection. Fighting cancer is easier when one is surrounded by love. When the patient sees that there are people around him who love and care for him, he gains strength and hope.
Globally, initiatives are being taken to improve childhood cancer care. World Childhood Cancer Day is celebrated every year on February 15 at the initiative of the International Association of Parents of Children with Cancer (ICCCPO). Although these are rare cancers, every year, 250,000 children around the world suffer from various forms of it. The lack of appropriate infrastructure for children with cancer is highlighted as the inability to adequately meet the special needs of young patients and their families.
The figures of the World Health Organization on childhood cancer are shocking. In particular, approximately 250,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer every year, of which only 20% have access to proper medical care. 80% of them come from middle and low-income countries. Over 150,000 deaths each year could have been avoided if early diagnosis and specialist treatment had been available to all children. 70% – 80% of children who have access to specialized treatment do well with the progress of medicine due to the adequacy of drugs and qualified scientific personnel.
Every day an estimated 20 children die of cancer in Europe. Cancer in children is the second most common cause of death after accidents. At the same time, however, eight out of ten children who develop leukaemia today are cured, and this is the message that all of us should retain. If you are between 18-40 years old and in good health, you too can easily become a bone marrow donor and help children in need find a compatible donor.
Childhood cancer in numbers
According to the International Association of Parents of Children with Cancer (ICCCPO):
Every three minutes, a child dies of cancer worldwide
Every year 250,000 children around the world suffer from various forms of cancer
Every year in our country, about 300 children are affected by cancer, mainly leukaemia
Every day in Europe, 20 children and teenagers die from cancer.
Every year in Europe, 15,000 children and 20,000 teenagers aged 15-24 are affected.
In Europe, it is estimated that 300,000-500,000 adults have had cancer in their childhood and have been cured.
2 out of 3 people who have been treated experience long-term side effects from the heavy treatments, affecting their daily lives.
