International Childhood Cancer Day
Next: February 15, 2027
Standing with every brave child.
The story
Where it comes from
International Childhood Cancer Day is a global campaign led by Childhood Cancer International, an umbrella group founded in 1994 by parents' organisations, together with the International Society of Paediatric Oncology. Today CCI is the largest patient support organisation for childhood cancer, representing more than 200 parent groups, survivor associations and cancer societies in over 95 countries. The day raises awareness of the particular challenges children with cancer face, and shows support for them, for survivors and for their families.
How it's celebrated
Parent groups, hospitals and cancer societies hold awareness events, share stories of children, survivors and the teams who care for them, and press for every child to have equal access to the best treatment. For most people it is a day to send a card to a family going through treatment, support a children's cancer charity, or thank a nurse on a children's ward.
Did you know
- More than 400,000 children around the world develop cancer each year.
- In high-income countries 80% or more of children with cancer survive, but in low- and middle-income countries, where nine in ten of these children live, only about 30% do.
- The International Society of Paediatric Oncology was founded on 6 November 1969 by a small group of specialists at the Institut Gustave-Roussy in Paris.
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