Saving young lives one at a time
September is globally recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and in light of this, the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) and Alexforbes are joining forces again to present the annual Yellow Ribbon Festival.This event serves as a platform to raise awareness about childhood cancer in Namibia. The festival takes place on Saturday, 2 September 2023, at the Atlantis Sports Grounds in Walvis Bay, offering a range of enjoyable activities for the entire family.
Several other initiatives will also be hosted during September - the Shake-a-Can campaign at intersections in Windhoek and “Cupcake Fridays” where the public can order yellow cupcakes to help raise money for the childhood cancer programme at CAN.
What it is
Childhood cancer refers to the diagnosis of cancer in individuals under the age of 18. The most common types of childhood cancers include leukaemia, brain cancers, lymphomas, and solid tumours, such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumours.
Childhood cancer remains a pressing issue worldwide, affecting young lives and families everywhere.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), each year, an estimated 400 000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and it remains one of the leading causes of death among children aged 1 to 14.
In Africa, the burden of childhood cancer is substantial. According to a report by the Regional Office of the WHO, nearly 30 000 children in sub-Saharan Africa are believed to have died from cancer during the Covid-19 pandemic. This report also states that cancer screening and treatment, including for childhood cancers, were hit especially hard by the pandemic.
In Africa, the childhood cancer survival rate is around 20%, compared to more than 80% in high-income countries. The WHO stresses that significant improvements can be made in the lives of children with cancer by identifying the disease early and avoiding delays in care.
Local numbers
Namibia, as an integral part of the global community, also experiences its share of childhood cancer cases. Statistics reveal that approximately 250 children are diagnosed with cancer in Namibia each year.
These young fighters and their families endure physical, emotional, and financial challenges as they battle this disease.
The CHICA (Children with Cancer) Namibia programme was established by CAN to address this challenge. Today, the CHICA Interim Home is a beacon of hope for families fighting childhood cancer, opening its doors to a parent and brave little patient receiving treatment in Windhoek.
The CHICA Fund supports paediatric oncology patients financially and assists with funeral costs of financially vulnerable patients who have lost their battle.
The Ward 8 West Paediatric Oncology Unit and Windhoek Central Hospital is another ongoing support project that the fund supports.
In Namibia, the most common cancers in children are leukaemia (cancers of the blood), retinoblastoma (cancer of the eye), nephroblastoma (kidney cancer), brain tumours and lymphomas (cancer of the lymphatic system of the body involving immune cells where a group of blood and lymph tumours develop from lymphocytes).
Screening essential
Childhood cancer cannot generally be prevented or identified through screening, thus recognising the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer is crucial for early diagnosis and effective treatment.
Common signs include unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, fatigue, and changes in the appearance of the eyes. If parents or caregivers notice any unusual or persistent symptoms in their children, it's important to consult a medical professional promptly.
Most childhood cancers can be cured with generic medicines and other forms of treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy.
Avoidable deaths from childhood cancers in LMICs result from lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, obstacles to accessing care, abandonment of treatment, death from toxicity, and relapse.
Festival time!
The Yellow Ribbon Festival aims to not only create awareness but also provide vital information to parents, caregivers, and the public about childhood cancer. The event promises a day filled with fun activities for the whole family, fostering a sense of community while supporting a worthy cause.
For more details about the Yellow Ribbon Festival, please contact CAN’s Erongo branch at 064 461271 or [email protected]
To learn more about childhood cancer and the association's initiatives, visit the official website at www.can.org.na