Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation National Office: World Cancer Day: Feb. 4, 2006


			World Cancer Day: Feb. 4, 2006

Friday, September 05, 2008

This year marks the launch of the UICC World Cancer Campaign focused on childhood cancer. (www.uicc.org). The World Cancer Campaign calls for an invincible alliance between researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, government, industry and media, to fight cancer and its greatest allies which are fear, ignorance and complacency. The World Cancer Campaign theme for 2006 will be "My Child Matters" (www.mychildmatters.org). Focused on the international impact of childhood cancer, the campaign consists of three main components: support for research initiatives to reduce childhood cancer mortality and morbidity in developing countries; a comprehensive state-of-the-art report on childhood cancers which will be made available to the general public on World Cancer Day, 4 February 2006; and a worldwide mobilization and awareness campaign, to highlight the effects of childhood cancers on children and their families.

Each year, more than 160,000 children world-wide are diagnosed with cancer and approximately 90,000 will die of their disease. While cure rates for many childhood cancers have reached approximately 75% in the US, more than half of all children diagnosed with cancer in developing countries will die of their disease. HIV/AIDS remains a critical priority for the health of children in sub-Saharan Africa, but cancer is emerging as a major cause of childhood death in Asia, Central and South America, northwest Africa and the Middle East, where fewer children are now dying from preventable infectious diseases.

While many childhood cancers are now being treated successfully in the US, cancer remains the number one disease killer of America's children as well. Children diagnosed with AML, neuroblastoma IV, brainstem gliomas, and metastatic bone cancers still face a poor prognosis. Those children who do survive are often faced with life-long late-effects of treatment. Research has shown that two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors face late-effects from their disease. Of those, one quarter are classified as severe or life-threatening.

In support of the World Cancer Awareness Campaign, Candlelighters is proud to announce the February 4th, 2006 website release of a photo essay focused on the impact of childhood cancer in the United States. The photos will be the work of professional photographers Jed Share (www.jedshare.com) and Trevor Romain (www.trevorromain.com). Jed Share's work has taken him to more than 80 countries and has included works for JP Morgan Chase, SONY, Motorola, Mitsubishi, Microsoft, Mercedes Benz, and others. Recognized as one of the GREAT photographers in the world, Jed's photos have won international acclaim, and have been exhibited internationally in shows sponsored by Kodak, Fujifilm, and others. His photography has been used for best-selling book covers, billboards, magazines and virtually all forms of print. Trevor Romain has written over 30 books and is recognized for his inspirational writings, brilliant illustrations, as well as incredible photography. His personal mission in life is to inspire kids to meet life's challenges with a smile. Known as 'Dr. Mischief,' Trevor is a regular on children's oncology wards, where he helps cancer kids meet the challenges of their cancer treatments. Candlelighters' is honored to have both Jed and Trevor create this photo essay to build awareness of the plight of cancer children in America.

Please mark your calendars now and invite your friends, family, colleagues, your child's oncology team, and members of congress to visit Candlelighters' website on World Cancer Day, Feb. 4th 2006 to view the professional photo essay of America's children with cancer. Help spread the word that childhood cancer remains the number one disease killer of America's children too!