Childhood cancer offers fund for good projects

Health and Science Bulletin
The Manila Bulletin, Monday 25 July 2005

Each year, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and approximately 90,000 of them will die of their disease.

Most childhood cancers can be cured, provided that prompt and effective treatment is accessible. In the developing world, children are often diagnosed too late, or not diagnosed at all. Because of this, more than half of children with cancer in developing countries will die. Four out of five children with cancer live in these countries.

In response to the problem, the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), in partnership with Sanofi-Aventis, embarks this year on a Childhood Cancer Campaign under the banner "My child matters."
The campaign consists of three main components: A call for projects; a comprehensive state-of-the-art report on childhood cancers, which will be made available to the general public on World Cancer Day (February 4, 2006); and a worldwide mobilisation and awareness campaign, based on these first results.

The call for projects will be launched in the following countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, Honduras, Morocco, the Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam.
Funding of up to P3 million will be available for projects selected by the UICC Childhood Cancer Campaign Advisory Steering Committee.

These projects will raise awareness of the challenge of childhood cancers; strengthen prevention, early detection, and protocols of treatment; improve the quality of care and support for children living with cancer and for their families.

All institutions or organisations that demonstrate innovative and practical approaches in management of children living with cancer are invited to join.

Application forms may be obtained from Cheryl Ann Serrano, Sanofi-Aventis corporate communications manager. Deadline of submission is on Sept. 30.