February 15 commemorates the International Children's Day with CancerFor this day, the Association of Parents of Children with Cancer in Almería (ARGAR) has organized various activities designed for cancer children and their families, events such as this will occur in various associations throughout our planet.
One of the activities that has focused our interest is the manifesto that you will read at the end of the events and celebrations, we would like you to read it.
“Our challenge ... to live
This motto means: First of all that "that challenge" can be a reality. Childhood cancer is curable in a high percentage of cases; With an early diagnosis and with the appropriate treatments, almost 75% of these children will survive: “they will live”. To achieve this, the Spanish Federation of Parents of Children with Cancer, since its creation in 1990, continues to fight for the following objectives, some already classic and others new.
That all children with cancer be treated in Pediatric Cancer Reference Units that in turn maintain a good level of collaboration and coordination with Primary Care. That a National Registry of Childhood Tumors be maintained, coordinated with the different autonomies of the country.
That social, psychological and educational care be a reality from the moment of diagnosis and throughout the disease, both for the child and his family.
That special attention be given to palliative care is already carried out at home or in the hospital.
That educational, social and professional standardization be facilitated once the disease is overcome.
That spaces be created in the Reference Units for the care of adolescents suffering from cancer.
That the long-term follow-up of the sequelae produced by the disease or treatments be carried out.
That research be promoted to achieve more effective treatments and with the least side effects.
In developed countries all these premises are attainable in the near future if the institutions, professionals and families work together. But we must not ignore that 80% of children with cancer live in developing countries, where diagnosis and treatment are not carried out correctly. More than half of these children, about 100,000 a year, will not have access to the future and their death could have been avoided. These children also have the right to grow and, ultimately, to LIVE.
The International Confederation of Organizations of Parents of Children with Cancer promotes policies so that all children with cancer in the world have access to adequate means of diagnosis and treatment.
Children suffering from cancer struggle to live to become adults, enjoy life, perhaps have a family or enjoy the profession or trade they like. A long way has been traveled along this path, but there is still much to be done so that we can make this challenge possible.
We would like you to share with us the illusion that what is requested through this manifesto becomes a reality for children suffering from this disease.
