INTERNATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER DAY

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There are an end number of diseases that children get, but the scariest one of them all, is cancer. Child oncology is a department that has seen an increasing number of patients, and to bring about a viable change, some 52 years ago SIOP came into existence. 

The Société Internationale d’Oncologie Pédiatrique/International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) was formed on November 6, 1969, as a small group of specialists at the Institut Gustave-Roussy (IGR) in Villejuif, Paris, whose mission it was to advance the study and care of children with cancer, a basic mission that continues to this day. This organization has been constantly working toward the betterment of the patients who sadly enough are children of all ages. 

It can be rather heartbreaking to see little kids go through the traumatic trauma of cancer. As deadly as the disease is, the course of treatment leaves many traumatized. The radiation, chemotherapy, etc take so much away. It is difficult to make kids understand side effects like weight gain, loss of hair, and so many more.

Advocacy is fundamental to the vision of SIOP. 

• Leading the campaign to raise awareness and build a global momentum mobilizing communities worldwide;
• Making childhood cancer better understood by the general public;
• Educating and influencing key opinion leaders to address childhood cancer in their communities;
• Educating legislators to enact appropriate policies that could benefit childhood cancer communities;
• Advocating for appropriate long term follow-up for survivors;
• Documenting ‘Best Practices” in childhood cancer treatment, care and support;
• Raising awareness to the need for appropriate access to care and essential medications;

SIOP’s major advocacy endeavors are driven by the Advocacy Task Force. This Task Force consists of an active group of SIOP leaders, who represent the different regions where the society has members and are committed to promoting SIOP’s mission that “no child should die of cancer”. Their work is directly aligned with the United Nations Millennium Developmental Goal  “to reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate.

Children are such precious gifts to parents and to see them suffer can be terrible. People like SIOP members are trying to ease out the testing times when cancer strikes in their kids. 

 There are programs that provide counseling sessions apart from other activities that help in providing healing of a different level. 

We must all contribute in our own ways toward the betterment of the world. Our tiny efforts can create a huge difference. We do not need to get attached to big organizations etc. all we need to do is spread awareness. Awareness is the first step towards the final victory over anything. Educate yourselves and share your ideas, thought, and interpretations, and then you will see how this world will begin to heal. Please do not wait for someone else to take that first step. You can give so much to ailing cancer patients, especially kids, for they are only looking for compassion. 

The child oncology department is a heart-wrenching sight. But if you can bring a smile and a ray of glimmery hope in their eyes, you have unknowingly given them the strength to fight.

EDUCATE YOURSELF!