February 15th - International Childhood Cancer Day
Each year, more than 300,000 children aged 0 to 19 years are diagnosed with cancer around the world . On average, 240 of these children are in Ireland and one in 270 children will be diagnosed with cancer before their 19th birthday . One in five of those children will not survive and those who do often suffer serious life long side effects. The disease has a devastating effect on the whole family who suffer emotionally, psychologically and financially throughout long and difficult treatment protocols.
As parents who have ‘walked the cancer walk’ with our children we are well placed to understand all the diverse issues that a childhood cancer diagnosis brings. We are a member of the Cancer Patient Advisory Committee and are working with the National Cancer Control Programme on how best to implement the recommendations concerning childhood cancer services in the National Cancer Strategy. On International Childhood Cancer Day, we stand united with organisations around the world to make childhood cancer a national and global child health priority in support of the World Health Organisation Global Childhood Cancer Target Goals.