September Is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: BSPHO Shines Gold

September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month across Europe. BSPHO joins the SIOP Europe campaign “Shine Gold on Our Young Heroes & Survivors” to recognize children and adolescents affected by cancer, and the families, clinicians, researchers, and survivors who stand with them.

Every 15 minutes, a family receives a diagnosis

Every 15 minutes in Europe, a family hears their child has cancer. Doctors diagnose 35,000 children and adolescents each year across the continent. More than 6,000 die from the disease annually.

Progress also shows in the numbers. Nearly 500,000 long-term survivors live in Europe today. Decades of research and improved treatment make this possible.

Where a child lives still matters

Survival rates differ by up to 20% between European regions. A child’s chance of survival still depends on where the child lives.

Childhood cancer research in Europe receives ten times less funding than in the United States. This gap slows new treatments and limits options for children who need them now.

SIOP Europe works with CCI Europe and PanCare on the Shine Gold campaign to advance the SIOPE Strategic Plan. The plan sets one goal: cure more children, and cure them better.

What the gold ribbon stands for

The gold ribbon represents every type of childhood cancer. Across Europe, people wear gold to honor patients, survivors, families, healthcare professionals, and researchers.

How BSPHO takes part

BSPHO supports the campaign throughout the month. We invite members and partners to add a gold campaign frame to their profile pictures, share the key facts about childhood cancer, and contact local landmarks about lighting buildings gold.

Support BSPHO

Donations to BSPHO fund research and care for children affected by cancer. Your gift helps give these children a fair chance. Donate at https://bspho.be/en/donate.

Learn more about the campaign at https://siope.eu/shinegold.