International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) - 15 February.

International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is observed on February 15 every year. International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.

Every year, more than 400,000 children and adolescents below 20, are diagnosed with cancer. The rate of survival depends on the region, with 80% survival in most High Income Countries but as low as 20% only in Low and MIddle Income Countries.

The Target Goal of the WHO Global Childhood Cancer Initiative is to eliminate all pain and suffering of children fighting cancer and achieve at least 60% survival for all children diagnosed with cancer around the world by 2030.

This represents an approximate doubling of the current cure rate and will save an additional one million children’s lives over the next decade.

International Childhood Cancer Day 2023: Theme

The three-year campaign for International Childhood Cancer Day began in 2021 and will conclude in 2023. The theme for the three-year campaign is ‘Better Survival’. The campaign is part of the effort to reach the target goal of the WHO Global Childhood Cancer Initiative to achieve at least 60 percent survival for all children diagnosed with cancer around the world by 2030.

International Childhood Cancer Day: Significance

An estimated 400 000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year. International Childhood Cancer Day is observed to raise awareness and show support for these children with cancer as well as their families. This is also a day to remember all the children who have lost their lives to cancer. On this day, organisations and individuals come together to spread awareness about the importance of early detection. Early diagnosis is one of the most effective ways to reduce mortality from childhood cancer.

International Childhood Cancer Day: History

Childhood Cancer International was established in 1994. It is the largest patient-support organisation for childhood cancer in the world. The organisation consists of more than 170 different groups, including parent organisations, childhood cancer survivor associations, childhood cancer support groups, and cancer societies. International Childhood Cancer Day was created as an annual event in 2002 by Childhood Cancer International.

Source: https://internationalchildhoodcancerday.org

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