Who We AreWelcome to Childhood Cancer International
Advancing Cure, Transforming Care
Childhood is a time of innocence and joy. Unfortunately, there is a growing, unrecognized menace that robs children/adolescents and their families of this special moment in their lives. Childhood cancer incidence is increasing. Every year, more than 300,000 children and adolescents below 20, are diagnosed with cancer: 215,000 (0-14 years old); 85,000 (15-19 years old). Many more remain undiagnosed, unrecorded and unreported. Childhood cancer is cureable. However every year, more than 100,000 do not survive. 80 per cent of these children/adolescents are from low and middle income countries where health systems are weak, health services are often inaccessible and unaffordable, essential medicines are not available or too expensive. Even high income countries are faced with the escalating burden of childhood cancer as it is now the leading non-communicable disease (NCD) related cause of deaths; it is posed to overtake deaths from infectious diseases.
Childhood Cancer International believes that every child and adolescent with cancer must get access to timely, affordable, quality cancer care, anywhere in the world. It is committed to ensuring that childhood cancer becomes a global child health priority and that children/adolescents with cancer and survivors everywhere, receive the treatment and care and support that they need.
Formed in 1994, Childhood Cancer International is now the largest global patient support and advocacy organization for childhood cancer. It has 183 member organizations in 93 countries, across 6 continents. Of these, 20 are national networks, federations or umbrella organizations, having operational presence in their whole country and representing an additional membership of no less than 127 organizations. This means that CCI represents no less than 310 organizations all over the world.
CCI believes
That every child and adolescent with cancer – regardless or financial of social class, race or native origin – deserves access to the best possible treatment and medical care. Parents of children with cancer must have access to the information they require to make informed decisions about their child’s treatment.
Families of children with cancer need to be active partners in the whole continuum of care: from diagnosis to follow up care.
Children and adolescents with cancer and their families should not go through this journey alone. They need support, assistance and caring.
