Every Three Minutes, a Child Dies of Cancer Somewhere in the World. Every Three Minutes

Dear……..,

I am writing to invite you and your team/organization to join the global celebration of International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15th. This is being led by CCI (formerly ICCCPO), of which our organization is a member. CCI is a 20 year old global network of parents, survivors and cancer support organizations in 90 countries, spanning 5 continents.

Every three minutes, a child dies of cancer somewhere in the world. Every three minutes, a family’s life is shaken to its very core by the loss of a child. While already striking, this number is recognized to be a substantial underestimate which fails to capture the true global childhood cancer burden. This is attributed to the lack of registries, prevalent under diagnosis, misdiagnosis and/or under registration of children with cancer in most low and middle income countries. Experts and researches estimate that approximately 90% of children with cancer reside in LMICs.

In our country ….

Childhood cancer is cureable. Despite this reality, childhood cancer deaths are increasing in both high resource and low resource countries. It is now the leading cause of deaths in developed countries and in most middle income countries. Thus, there is a need to ACT NOW (#actnow4kidswithcancer) to Join Voices, Consolidate Forces, Coordinate Initiatives .

This year, in collaboration with its members,other global networks (SIOP, UICC,ICPCN, Max Foundation), and leading institutions (Harvard Global Cancer Control, St Baldricks Foundation), CCI is launching a Global ICCD Alliance and the global campaign ACT NOW (#actnow4kidswithcancer). This campaign lasts all the way to September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in a number of countries).The theme is Better Access to Care for Children/Adolescents with cancer (#betteraccess2careforkidswithcancer).

Locally, our organization is collaborating with … in …

Dr. Oleg Chestnov, the Assistant Director General for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health at the World Health Organization asserts that: No child should die of cancer - it is as simple as that. He also underscores that:The majority of children with potentially curable cancers can get cured even in low-resource settings, and all children with advanced cancer can benefit from pain relief and palliative care. Children’s rights cannot be fulfilled and protected unless preventing and treating cancers is included as a priority within national cancer control programmes. Together with NGOs such as CCI, WHO is strongly committed to supporting national efforts to control childhood cancers in low- and middle-income countries and to reach all children in need, wherever they are excluded and left behind. If we overcome the barriers that have kept these children from the services that they need and that are theirs by right, then more will grow up healthy and realize their full potential. The celebration of ICCD is a significant step in this direction.

We are sending you the campaign materials as attached (Briefer, Act Now, Why Now, The Gold Ribbon Story).

On ---- our organization will ……. (describe your events .. when, where, who )…

We are hoping your team would be interested to join us in these local activities as well as to join the Global ICCD Alliance.

Looking forward to collaborate with you on this initiative as we work together to increase visibility, awareness and support for children/adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.

Signature