{"id":8573,"date":"2020-12-30T14:00:50","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T14:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=8573"},"modified":"2020-12-23T14:38:20","modified_gmt":"2020-12-23T14:38:20","slug":"shining-a-light-on-childhood-cancer-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/shining-a-light-on-childhood-cancer-awareness-month\/8573\/","title":{"rendered":"Shining a light on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"
As the world continues to confront an extraordinary global health emergency<\/a>, we must remember that cancer has not gone away. One would expect that it should be \u2018children first\u2019, but it is too often \u2018children last\u2019. Serious inequalities in access to the best available care and expertise remains a critical issue across Europe. Innovation does not reach children who most need it: only nine anti-cancer medicines were authorised for a specific paediatric indication since 2007, in contrast to over 150 for adult cancers.<\/p>\n On behalf of our childhood cancer community, we extend our deep gratitude to Vice President of the European Parliament, Ewa Kopacz, for championing the institution\u2019s endorsement of September\u2019s \u2018Shine Gold\u2019 Campaign.<\/p>\n The lighting of the European Parliament building in Brussels during the first week of September brought much-needed visibility to the persistent burden of cancers affecting children and young people; an important signal that Europe\u2019s youngest citizens will not be left behind. Our entire European childhood cancer community is delighted that this year\u2019s campaign has received such exceptional support.<\/p>\n We are pleased that through the symbolic gesture of lighting the building in gold, the European Parliament brought it to the attention of us all that too many young lives are still lost to childhood cancer \u2013 but that the EU is well positioned to make transformational change possible.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s campaign aimed to reach a broad audience across Europe, raising awareness of the stark reality of childhood cancer \u2013 the number one cause of death in children over one. The facts highlight the urgency:<\/p>\n Children and young people should be able to benefit from faster and more efficient development of affordable innovative medicines. The cure rate must improve \u2013 indeed we must cure more and cure better, as detailed in our Manifesto for the paediatric oncology and haematology community.<\/p>\n Cancer has not stopped because of the coronavirus. The sad reality is that COVID-19 has in fact had a devastating impact on research and clinical trials. The research of today produces the treatments of tomorrow, so it is really important to highlight the challenges that we are facing and we urge all the various stakeholders to continue their work for a brighter future for children and adolescents with cancer.<\/p>\n Together with our members and our partners, we aim to make a difference across the EU and beyond for children and adolescents with cancer as well as for childhood cancer survivors. This year\u2019s September campaign was the first of its kind and we are determined to do more next year.<\/p>\n Since SIOP Europe\u2019s office is based in Brussels, Belgium, we are delighted that local Belgian television channels and publications have recognised the importance of this message and featured Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. So far, these local media outlets include RTV, VRT, Het Laatste Nieuws, AVS Television, TV Bruzz, Nieuwsblad, Gazet van Antwerpen, Knack, and we are confident others will follow.<\/p>\n Such positive outcomes are encouraging, and we will continue striving for better awareness of the needs of childhood cancer to foster a brighter future for these brave young people.<\/p>\n This article has previously been published by The Parliament Magazine<\/a> and has been reproduced with the kind permission of SIOP Europe.<\/p>\n SIOP Europe<\/strong>The need for change<\/h3>\n
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