‘Childhood Cancer is Curable’ say KMC Doctors
KMC Hospital Attavar to celebrate International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) 2017 on 16 February 2017.
Mangaluru: Kasturba Medical College Hospital Attavar, on occasion of completing 25 successful years of providing clinical services, and the only Hospital in the District to have a Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist to provide specialized cancer treatment to children will celebrate International childhood cancer day on Thursday 16th February 201710 am onwards at Sanjeevini Hall, 7th floor KMC Hospital Attavar. International Childhood Cancer Day is celebrated worldwide with special events/outings for children with cancer and their families, its main aim being to spread awareness the central message that “CHILDHOOD CANCER IS CURABLE”.
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Dr Harsha Prasada L, Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist at KMC Hospital Mangaluru, said, “International Childhood Cancer Day is based on Childhood Cancer International’s (CCI) core belief that every child with cancer deserves the best possible medical and psycho-social care, regardless of country of origin, race, financial status or social class.”
Through this activity, KMC Hospital wants to spread the awareness that childhood cancer deaths are avoidable, with timely and accurate diagnosis, availability and access to proper treatment and care as well as affordable, good quality essential medicines. We aim at ensuring that Childhood Cancer becomes a child health priority in India. Huge disparities exist in survival rates across countries and even within the same continents. In developing countries, the survival rate is as low as 20-30%. Of the 10 children diagnosed with cancer only 2-3 survive. Conversely, in developed countries survival rates can be as high as 80-90%, only 1 or 2 dies.” added Dr Harsha Prasada.
Dr. Pralhad Kushtagi- Incharge Medical Superintendent stated that KMC Hospital will observe the day with half day program for children, to be Inaugurated by Alester D’Souza, Mangaluru (Mr India Runner up) followed by fun activities for children suffering from cancer as well as the Children who have fought cancer and emerged as heroic cancer survivors. Different activities will be conducted by RJ. Errol Pinto of Big FM 92.7.There will be Magic Show as well to entertain the children & the audience
Dr Kamalakshi Bhat –Head of Department, Pediatrics said that KMC Hospital Attavar has a full-fledged Pediatric Department with a dedicated unit for Pediatric Cancer and is fully equipped with state of the art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (N.I.C.U) , Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (P.I.C.U) to handle all type of Child emergencies and a team of experienced Pediatric Surgery team making it one of the trusted Child Care centers in the Region.
Dr Santosh Rai Associate Professor Radiology & Chairman of Silver Jubilee Committee, briefed about the various philanthropic programs held for society throughout the year as part of Silver jubilee year of KMC Hospital Attavar.
What is International Childhood Cancer Day?
International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. The day promotes increased appreciation and deeper understanding of issues and challenges relevant to childhood cancer and impacting on children/adolescents with cancer, the survivors, their families and the society as a whole. It also spotlights the need for more equitable and better access to treatment and care for all children with cancer, everywhere
Who is International Childhood Cancer Day?
This annual event was created by Childhood Cancer International (CCI), a global network of 183 grassroots and national networks of parent organizations in 93 countries, spanning 5 continents. International Childhood Cancer Day is based on Childhood Cancer International’s (CCI) core belief that every child with cancer deserves the best possible medical and psycho-social care, regardless of country of origin, race, financial status or social class. It is also anchored on the premise that childhood cancer deaths are avoidable, with timely and accurate diagnosis, availability and access to proper treatment and care as well as affordable, good quality essential medicines.
ICCD was first launched in 2002. Since then, the annual ICCD has generated the support of global networks and leading institutions including: SIOP (International Society of Pediatric Oncology, with 1500 plus members), SIOP Europe (European Society of Pediatric Oncologists), UICC (Union for International Cancer Control with 770 member organizations in 155 countries), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), among others.
Why it is important for you/your organization to show support and solidarity for International Childhood Cancer Day?
Children and adolescents are the heart of every community and nation. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are able to live life to the fullest and to reach their full potentials.
Sadly, childhood cancer robs our kids of their childhood and youth. It threatens and puts at risk their very survival. A cancer diagnosis shatters every sense of “normal life” for children, adolescents and their families. But even more, heart-wrenching than the effects of cancer on the families, siblings and parents, are the effects of cancer on the children and adolescents themselves. At the age of supposed innocence, enjoyment and pure joy, kids with cancer are faced with difficult and demanding situations, isolating them for long periods of time, from peers and friends. Most often, the cancer journey is marked by tremendous pain and stress. Thus, we believe that no child or family should go through the cancer journey alone.
Today, we encourage you to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT for kids with cancer, the survivors and their families. Our challenge is to ACT NOW because we all know that for children and adolescents with cancer, today is sometimes all that they have!
Alone, we can make a difference. Together, we will create change. Together, we can help make life better for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.