15th February 2022
On International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) 2022, Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) have combined forces to take the second step in the joint 3-year campaign by showcasing the essential role of healthcare professionals in improving the survival and quality of life of children and adolescents with cancer across the globe, and launching the ICCD Advocacy Toolkit.
As a member of Childhood Cancer International, the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society has taken part in the campaign by urging its stakeholders to posting messages of hope and appreciation on the international Tree of Life website (https://iccd.care/), and creating a physical Tree of Life in the main childhood cancer treatment ward in Sarawak, at the Sarawak General Hospital.
The Society’s President, Mr Rodney Wong, lauded the campaign, saying, “The importance of well-trained healthcare workers cannot be denied in the proper treatment of childhood cancer. We are proud to recognise the healthcare workers who are dedicated to caring for children with cancer, especially through the last two years. This year’s ICCD theme of #throughyourhands aptly pays tribute to the health care team and the positive impact they on the lives of children and adolescents with cancer. We are looking forward to working with the World Health Organisation to implement its Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) in Malaysia, which includes health workforce training as one of its priority actions.”
Around 400,000 children (0-19 years) are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancers are a leading cause of mortality in many countries. Five-year survival varies from >80% to as low as <20% in some settings, especially low-and-middle-income countries, and childhood cancers are an increasing global disease burden marked by pronounced inequalities.
Childhood cancer treatment is cost-effective even in resource-limited settings. Health professionals’ central role in providing these services saves lives and contributes to survivors’ healthy and productive adulthoods.
João de Braganca, CCI President, praises the professionals working tirelessly to improve childhood cancer outcomes: “Multi-disciplinary health professionals including doctors, nurses, and allied professionals such as physical and play therapists provide an irreplaceable contribution to the well-being of young cancer patients, their families, and survivors and deserve the utmost admiration and support.”
Kathy Pritchard-Jones, SIOP President, underscores the need to counter the impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers: “The evidence is clear: COVID-19 has led to a substantial emotional and physical toll and often resulted in staff shortages. It is crucial to address these issues for the sake of professionals’ well-being and to improve the provision of treatment and care, particularly in resource-limited settings.”
The ICCD campaign aims to amplify the visibility of childhood cancer at all levels and reach the breadth of stakeholders with the power to effect life-saving change. Together, we can sustain and reinforce healthcare professionals in the fulfillment of their all-important role and make a positive difference for children and adolescents with cancer worldwide.
ABOUT
Childhood Cancer International (CCI)
Childhood Cancer International was founded in 1994, as an umbrella organization of childhood cancer grassroots and national parent organizations. Recognized world-wide as the body representing children/adolescents with cancer, childhood cancer survivors and their families, CCI is today the largest patient support organization for childhood cancer. It is a global, parent-driven non-profit that represents 186 parent and childhood cancer survivor organizations in 95 countries, across 5 continents. CCI envisions that “Children and adolescents with cancer, benefit from the best possible treatment, care and support, anywhere in the world.” To learn more visit https://www.childhoodcancerinternational.org/
International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP)
Established in 1969, the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), is the only global multidisciplinary society entirely devoted to paediatric and adolescent cancer. The society has over 2000 members worldwide including physicians, nurses, other health-care professionals, scientists and researchers. Our members are dedicated to increasing knowledge about all aspects of childhood cancer. SIOP envisions that “No child should die of cancer: cure for more, care for all” and is aiming to improve the lives of children and adolescents with cancer through global collaboration, education, training, research and advocacy. To learn more, visit siop-online.org
Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society
The Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society is a non-profit organization founded in November 2001, dedicated to meeting the needs of families of patients diagnosed with paediatric cancer in Sarawak irrespective of race, religion, age or gender. The SCCS committee is made up of 70% patients’ parents and 30% volunteers, and has supported over 1,500 families since 2001. Annual yearly expenses are on an average of RM1.5 million, which go towards services for the childhood cancer patients and their families. To learn more, visit sccs.org.my
CCI-SIOP ICCD Campaign
The 15th of February marks International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) to highlight the importance of community participation and support in the fight against childhood cancer in every country around the world. CCI and SIOP joined forces on a three-year campaign for ICCD (2021-2023) using the universal image of colourfully painted handprints of children to represent survival rates as well as the Tree of Life, symbolizing that childhood cancer is curable. Each year, a distinct group of childhood cancer stakeholders in highlighted: #throughourhands giving tribute to children and adolescents with cancer (2021), #throughyourhands with focus on healthcare teams (2022) and #throughtheirhands paying tribute to the families and caregivers (2023).
Alignment with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer
The CCI and SIOP campaign is fully aligned with the #CureAll strategy of the breakthrough WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC). Launched in 2018, the GICC is an unprecedented multi stakeholder global effort spotlighting childhood cancer as a major priority of the international child health and development agenda.
