LIGHT UP HOPE, LIGHT IT UP GOLD. International Childhood Cancer Awareness
Month, September 1-30, 2015
Childhood Cancer International calls upon all buildings, institutions, monument
owners and authorities to program your exterior illumination systems to a gold theme
on September 1st and throughout the month, as your events schedule allows.
If you currently do not have an exterior lighting system, we encourage you instead to
hang and prominently display a gold ribbon in the front façade of your buildings or
offices.
In doing so, you will be playing a vital role in shining a light on the #1 noncommunicable cause of death for 90,000 children each year, in both developed and
developing countries .
You will be joining around 100 prominent buildings, iconic monuments and
landmarks in major cities of North America (USA and Canada ) , Europe , Oceania
(Australia) , Latin America and Asia that have committed to Light it Up Gold this
September.
Every 3 seconds, one child is diagnosed with cancer somewhere in the world . Each
year no less than 250,000 children are diagnosed with one of 16 forms of childhood
cancer. Many more children with cancer remain unreported, unaccounted for and not
counted due to lack of awareness and absence of childhood cancer registries in a
majority of countries, especially developing countries .
Childhood cancer is now cureable. Yet there is huge disparity in survival rates
among developed and developing countries. In developed countries, 8 out of 10
children can survive cancer and continue to live a productive and meaningful life. In
developing countries , only 2 out of 10 children will survive.
The current rate of progress in responding to the challenge of childhood cancer is
too slow, imposing on families of children with cancer , the triple
burden, combining the devastating health impact of the disease itself, the
catastrophic costs and harsh burden of treatment, and the isolation of social exclusion
driven in some countries and cultures by stigma and fear.
1
Unless there is a commitment to better access and care for children with cancer and
childhood cancer survivors, everywhere, the disease will remain a threat to the social
and economic well-being of children , families and communities across the world.
The catastrophic costs of treatment for childhood cancer pushes families deeper into
poverty and derails poverty reduction initiatives. Childhood cancer also imperils the
future we all share where these children are envisioned to be the next leaders and
movers of future generations.
Accelerating the international, regional and national response to childhood cancer
will mean investing in the future of these children as well as our own.
The International gold pantone 1245U awareness color symbolizes and honors all these brave
children and their courageous struggle against childhood cancers. Gold captures the priceless
value of children in our communities and countries. As President John F. Kennedy once said,
“when one child suffers, we all suffer”. Another great leader, President Mandela also said that
“ the response of any country to the suffering of children, reveals the very soul of the country”.
We invite you to demonstrate that you/your organization values children and that you are all
committed to inspiring and keeping hope alive among the children, adolescents and families
still struggling and valiantly fighting for their life.
Lighting up Gold this September is expressing solidarity .. Standing UP and Speaking Out for
children/adolescents with cancer , childhood cancer survivors and their families.
Lighting up Gold is a gift of life.. a gift of hope ... a call to ACT NOW for children with cancer and
childhood cancer survivors.
2