September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honour and remember children and families affected by this devastating disease, and help rally support to give children with cancer better outcomes by supporting childhood cancer awareness.
Paarl Post would like to share with readers the work the local non-profit organisation, the Little Fighters Cancer Trust (LFCT), does who support children diagnosed with cancer and their family.
Even though the trust started in Paarl they support families affected by childhood cancer across South Africa.
“Childhood cancer is devastating to the growth and development of children, and devastating to their families and friends,” said Lizelma Olivier from LFCT. “At a time when young people should be focusing on school, play, and socialising, if they have cancer their focus can be on medication, operations and what life they have left.
“Parents of childhood cancer sufferers have the anguish of watching their children suffer, the stress of decisions on medications and treatments as well as decisions on time off work for themselves and time off school for the child. Even worse, trying to explain to a child what is happening to them and answering the resulting questions on life and faith, and worst of all is the loss of a child to cancer, devastation that can never be put right.
Some forms of cancer are mainly or exclusively seen only in children, and that is something highlighted by the awareness month. Children can be more resilient to cancer and cancer treatments than adults, and there are many cases of triumph and complete recovery, where children make a complete recovery and grow up to live a normal life.
But awareness, education, and support are vital, which is why Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is also vital.
Olivier explains that although childhood cancer is relatively rare, the incidence rate has been increasing.
According to her cancer is one of the leading causes of death among children and adolescents worldwide; approximately 280 000 children ages 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year.
The overall incidence of childhood cancer is on the increase, averaging 0,8% increase per year since 1975.
Childhood cancer is not one disease – there are more than 12 major types of paediatric cancers and more than 100 subtypes.
In high-income countries, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured, but in many low- and middle-income countries, the cure rate is about 20%.
“Cancer in children and young adults is different from cancer that develops later in life. Some of the unwanted side effects of cancer treatments cause more harm to children than they do to adults. This is because children’s bodies are still growing and developing, so cancer and its treatment are more likely to affect developing organs.”
The LFCT, which was started in 2010 when it was discovered there are families touched by childhood cancer who needed help urgently but were falling through the cracks. Its vision is to provide practical and emotional support to children with cancer and their families while working to raise public awareness of early warning signs throughout South Africa.
According to Olivier they strive to relieve some of the heartache and difficulties faced by childhood cancer affected families by providing the following: holistic support, ensuring individuals, families and communities are included.
Treating each child with cancer and their family members as individuals, understanding and respecting the uniqueness of each situation. The preservation of individual dignity and pride. Promoting and advocating National Childhood Cancer Awareness.
Olivier explains that their services are divided into focus areas, namely hospital ward support, individual and family support and childhood cancer awareness.
Hospital ward support includes the following: paediatric oncology hospital ward visits; Bags of Hope; Mother’s Day Gifts; Share the Warmth; Christmas Elf Project. By implementing the hospital ward support project on outpatient clinic days, more than 2 000 children with cancer can be reached and, in many cases, their caregivers too.
LFCT prioritises providing individual families affected by childhood cancer with family-care packages. Resources permitting, the trust also helps with home and school resources, home repairs (hygienic for child with cancer), transport costs to and from the hospital/clinic, funeral support, family support after remission or death, family outings, birthday and anniversary celebrations, facilitating a Little Fighter’s last wish.
Those who would like to support LFCT and their projects can contact Olivier on 084 099 1136, or visit their website at www.littlefighters.org.za.
