The International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is annually observed across the globe on 15th February to create awareness about the dangers and impacts of cancer among children.
The day also aims to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to offer support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.
The theme for 2022 is ‘Better Survival’ is achievable #throughyourhands.
3-year campaign for ICCD (2021-2023):
The 3-year campaign for ICCD 2021-2023, on the ‘Tree of Life’ concept, is designed to use the image of painted handprints of children to represent survival rates for childhood cancer on a national, regional and international scale.
- ICCD 2022, the 2nd year of the 3-year campaign for ICCD 2021-2023 is celebrated under the theme “Better Survival’ is achievable #throughyourhands”.
Symbol:
The internationally recognised symbol for childhood cancer is the gold ribbon.
Background:
The Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the largest patient-support organization for childhood cancer initiated the observance of the International Childhood Cancer Day(ICCD) in 2001.
- The first ever global campaign of the ICCD was observed on 15th February 2002.
Note: CCI is the founding organisation of the ICCD and International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP: Société Internationale d’Oncologie Pédiatrique) is the collaborating partner of the day.
Childhood Cancer:
i.According to the World Health Organization(WHO), Cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents.
ii.Around 80% of children with cancer are cured in high-income countries, where comprehensive services are accessible and in low- and middle-income countries, less than 30% of children are cured.
iii.Only 29% of low-income countries states that cancer medicines are available to their populations, compared to 96% of high-income countries.
WHO’s Global Childhood Cancer Initiative:
i.The Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer was introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in September 2018 with the support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
- This initiative is a part of the response to the World Health Assembly(WHA) resolution Cancer Prevention and Control through an Integrated Approach that focuses on the reduction of premature mortality from Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the achievement of universal health coverage.
ii.The aims of the initiative are two-fold, to increase prioritization of childhood cancer through awareness raising at global and national levels and to expand the capacity of countries to deliver best practices in childhood cancer care.
Goal:
To achieve at least 60% survival globally and to reduce the suffering of all children with cancer by 2030.
