Go gold for CHOC

HAVE a heart for children with cancer and go gold for International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on 15 February.

Imagine in low income countries of every 10 children diagnosed with cancer either one or two will survive, while in high income countries of every 10 children diagnosed with cancer only one or two will not survive. Too many children and adolescents die worldwide, huge disparities exist and a death of one child is one death too many.

It’s with this in mind that CHOC in association with Childhood Cancer International (CCI) dedicate 15 February to children diagnosed with cancer – International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

As one parent said “Childhood cancer is not something that is given to kids because they are strong and can handle it. Childhood cancer is just not happy kids with sweet shiny bald heads and brave smiles. Childhood cancer is scary. Childhood cancer is dark. Childhood cancer steals our children’s childhood; our family’s joy and peace. It can ruin family’s lives. It marks us for life. It is one of the most stressful, heart wrenching things in the world.”

CHOC has chosen gold to highlight children with cancer as a group of parents decided that gold is a precious metal that goes through extreme fires to be valued. “Children with cancer have to go through extreme treatments to survive. Children are more precious than gold. We urge you to join us with one voice and act now against childhood cancer,” said Agie Govender from CHOC.

She said CHOC's call to action is simple – better access to quality childhood cancer treatment and care, access and availability to affordable treatment and free essential treatment, inclusion of children in universal health coverage, stronger paediatric and palliative care and less toxic treatment which leads to decreased side effects for survivors in later years.

Support the day this year and create awareness by buying a gold ribbon or wrapping your trees in gold.

Contact CHOC KZN on 031 204 2917. Visit the website at www.choc.org.za