The month-long campaign on cancer care will go across 21 cities and 68 cancer centres
As we mark the 20th International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) on 15th February 2021, the childhood cancer community is fortunate to launch the pan India ICCD campaign by Dr VKPaul, Member NITI Aayog. The month-long ICCD campaign will go across 21 cities and 68 cancer centres to acknowledge the thousands of children and their families who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, raise awareness and advocate for better survival for children with cancer in India.
On the occasion Childhood Cancer Survivors of Kidscan Konnect: The teenage and young adult survivor group of Civil Society Organization Cankids performed a thought-provoking nukkad natak Mera Haq to express the story of their fight with cancer, the reasons why children in India are dying of cancer, what the families want and what needs to be done. “Why did I need to go to 22 hospitals before I could get diagnosed and treated,” asked Vikas a Retinoblastoma Eye Cancer survivor. “Why did my family have to be uprooted from UP to Mumbai for my treatment,” demands Sandeep Yadav, an Ewings sarcoma leader.
A small group of child cancer patients, survivors and parents presented Dr Paul with their handprints on the Tree of Life dreamcatcher with the theme #CUreALL Better Survival for Children with Cancer #ThroughOurHands, launching the ICCD programme.
Dr VKPaul, Member NITI Aayog (leads the Health and Nutrition verticals) said, “Their energy and commitment to the cause is amazing. The children are our future. Childhood Cancer is treatable and access to better treatment, care and support is a priority for the government and all stakeholders.”
“The paediatric oncology community has done yeoman’s work over the years, but now we need support from a comprehensive national agenda that is sponsored and supported by national and State Governments. We owe it to India’s children to do the right thing,” echoed Piyush Gupta, CEO, DBS Global and a Cankids donor and Ambassador.
