World Child Cancer day highlights children’s needs
JOBURG - Ahead of International Childhood Cancer Day, the Children's Haematology Oncology Clinics (CHOC) managed to put smiles on children’s faces. The organisation visited three hospitals, Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke, and the Donald Gordon Medical Centre to give snacks to cancer patients.
The organisation, along with all child oncology organisations worldwide, celebrated International Childhood Cancer day on 15 February.
According to the International Society of Paediatric Oncology, 250 000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer while 90 000 die from it.
The highest percent of children suffering from cancer is found mostly in developing countries, such as South Africa.
According to the society, these children often do not survive due to lack of access to essential medicine and timely treatment and care.
It is to this end that the society is calling for universal access to treatment and care for all children suffering from cancer. The society has requested governments worldwide to support patients and ensure adequate services for them.
Kenneth Dollman, chairperson of the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations South Africa, also encourages the health department to support treatment centres.
“After the initial intensive treatment phase, patients and their families need to travel long distances for routine or maintenance treatment and this treatment often takes a couple of hours, which adds to the cost and time burden of travel,” he added.
Sophie Ndhlovu of CHOC encouraged people to do their bit to make the day special for cancer patients.
“Put a smile on a child’s face and come visit the [CHOC] house; that will cheer the children up,” she said.
