CHOC calls on the community to stand together this International Childhood Cancer Month
Under the theme Better survival is achievable through your hands, International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month calls on the power of community to help raise awareness about cancer in child and teenagers.
This September is International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and under the theme Better survival is achievable through your hands, the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa is calling on the community for its support.
CHOC, a non-profit organisation based in Rivonia, is made up of caring, committed and passionate people stationed all across the country who stand up for and support the well-being of young children, teenagers and their families who have been diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders.
Through its Be Bold Go Gold campaign, the organisation aims to raise awareness and support the courageous and resilient young children and teenagers who have no choice in fighting this battle of childhood cancer.
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According to CHOC CEO Hedley Lewis, every child with cancer and their family deserve the opportunity to not only survive but to thrive.
“You have the power to make a change, no matter who you are, let’s be a voice for our children and teenagers this International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” said Lewis.
“Our children deserve to live a full life and we have the power to give them the chance to do so.”
The month of September is considered a month of hope for better treatment outcomes, and a brighter and healthier future for young cancer patients.
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Lewis added that the survival rate of children and teenagers living with cancer in South Africa had gradually increased over the past few years to about 55%.
Although it was still below the rate of developed countries (80% to 90%) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer 2030 goal of at least 60%.
“Early diagnosis and availability of basic childhood cancer drugs will enable us to meet the WHO 2030 goal of overall survival of 60% in low-middle-income countries. Childhood cancer can be cured,” said Professor Gita Naidu, chair of the South African Children’s Cancer Study Group.
To find out more about the early warning signs of childhood cancer and how you can support the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa, visit www.choc.org.za
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