February 15 is one of the most important days of the year since it is dedicated to creating awareness of childhood cancer.
Following hot on the heels of Valentine’s Day, the perfect thought to hold for International Childhood Cancer Day is “Have a Heart for Children with Cancer”.
In South Africa, one child in 600 gets cancer before the age of 16 – which is close to 2 700 per annum. The sad reality is that less than half of these children are ever diagnosed.
Although 70% to 85% of cases can be cured, the shocking fact is that fewer than half are diagnosed early enough to be treated. Half are never diagnosed at all. This is primarily through ignorance – which is why it is so important to use International Childhood Cancer Day to enlighten the people of South Africa.
CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa will be marking February 15, with a variety of events all over the country and appeals to schools, companies and even private people to join in the efforts to make this day hugely informative and productive.
Schools are invited to ask the CHOC mascots, Thandi and her son, Keemo, to visit and tell the kids all the positive things about childhood cancer – the things that help CHOC ‘Keep More than Hope Alive!’
We urge you to find out more about the warning signs of childhood cancer and what can be done about it. CHOC has a highly informative leaflet and two excellent programmes which can be found here (Warning Signs) and here (Cancer Facts).
Make this International Childhood Cancer Day the day you spread the word – and keep more than hope alive.
If you’d like to get involved, please contact CHOC head office on (011) 486 1212 and find out what’s happening in your area.