September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It is about remembering children and their families who are suffering from this terrible disease. Gold is the internationally recognised colour of paediatric/childhood cancer. The Childhood Cancer Foundation was founded in 2013 by the parents and family members of children affected by cancer. Their aim is to promote better services for children suffering from the disease. Presently there are over two hundred children under 16 years old receiving cancer treatment in Ireland. Childhood Cancer Awareness have organised light it up gold walks throughout the six counties in Ireland, in order to increase awareness among people who are affected by childhood cancer.
The CCF also has the support of the Irish Cancer Society and two of their members are on a Peer to Peer Support Steering Group. This group facilitates training to volunteer parents, who have had an experience of childhood cancer. The volunteers are trained to give helpful information, support and encouragement to newly diagnosed parents or guardians. Peer to Peer support aims to: help parents come to terms with their child’s diagnosis of cancer; discuss their feelings and anxieties about cancer treatments; give emotional support and practical advice.
CCF is a member of Childhood Cancer International, which represents 177 parent organisations in 90 countries. By working in conjunction with other child cancer organisations, CCF has a better chance of expanding its objectives. Being a member of this organisation helps us to gain more of an insight into issues regarding childhood cancer, such as psycho-social care for children and their families.
Upcoming events
The 48th Congress of The International Society of Paediatric Oncology will be held in The Dublin Convention Centre from 19th to 22nd October 2016. The Survivors Conference will take place at The Mansion House on the 18th October. Childhood Cancer Foundation along with CanCare4Living, Canteen and Barretstown are co- hosting the delegate members of Childhood Cancer International.
Previous events which were held in September 2016
On Saturday 3rd September, in Dublin, Light it up Gold campaigns went on a candle lit walk starting in St Patrick’s Park at 4pm with family fun activities and finishing in St Patrick’s Cathedral with some choir music. St Patrick’s Cathedral will light up gold throughout September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Galway’s Light it up Gold walk celebrated their 4th annual candle lit walk in Galway city on September 4th. On September 11th the Curragh Racecourse for Irish Champions Weekend also lit up gold to support Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
Buildings across the world will light up gold during the month of September in honour of brave children worldwide dealing with cancer. In the USA, Time Square New York, Niagra Falls and Harbour Bridge in Texas will light up gold for childhood cancer awareness. Back home in Ireland, An Grianan Theatre in Donegal, St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, the Bank of Ireland, the Convention Centre Dublin, Millmount in Drogheda, the Brown Door in Galway and the Dunbrody Famine Ship will all light up gold for the month of September.
Further information
The website www.childhoodcancer.ie intends to give information and support to families of children who have received a cancer diagnosis. It offers information about different types of cancer, hospitalisation, procedures, support services, grants and social welfare entitlements. Please also follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lightitupgold and Twitter: @lightitupgold. Text GOLD to 50300 to donate €4. The Helpline number is: 076 6805278.
Hashtags: ChildhoodCancerAwareness 
