Championing childhood cancer together – CHOC
RIVONIA – International Childhood Cancer Day (February 15) is a global collaborative campaign that aims to raise awareness about childhood cancer, expressing support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.
The CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa encourages a culture of collaboration for International Childhood Cancer Day.
International Childhood Cancer Day (February 15) is a global collaborative campaign that aims to raise awareness about childhood cancer, expressing support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.
The Rivonia-based foundation virtually hosted an array of speakers who each represent important champions in every child’s cancer journey. This included oncology head Professor David Reynders, CHOC Cow leader Iris Schreuder Varty, social worker Mawethu Bell and sister Belinda Austin.
The keynote address was given by Princess Dina Mired of Jordan who shared her family’s personal journey with childhood cancer.
According to CHOC CEO Hedley Lewis, it was important for the foundation to provide the champions with a platform to not only share their stories but also represent the hundreds of other champions that, in their respective fields, play a pivotal role in childhood cancer.
Hedley added that at CHOC these collaborative efforts came together to not only help children but drive hope among patients and their families.
“We work closely with our sister organisations, both in South Africa, globally and across the board. It takes global childhood cancer communities to ensure that there is a cure for all and hope,” said Lewis.
Princess Mired added that the importance of collaboration was evident when her son was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1997. According to the princess, during this time period, it was not only difficult to get someone to properly examine her son but to get people to openly talk about cancer.
Once her child was able to get the help that he needed, Mired decided to join the world of childhood cancer to help ensure that many more children were able to seek the help that they deserved.
“I understood that I needed to join the team here [in Jordan] to change the narrative of cancer care.” With Mired’s help, the King Hussein Cancer Centre was born in Jordan and has grown into one of the best cancer centres in the region. The centre treats more than 3 500 new cancer patients every year in Jordan and across the region.
ALSO READ:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/284881/support-choc-and-give-hope/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/288247/support-childhood-cancer-heroes/
