MEDIA RELEASE 3for 2004 Event

For immediate release: 16th January 2004

Who: International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations

What:International Childhood Cancer Day

Where: 52 countries worldwide

When: 15th February 2004

Why: To raise awareness of children with cancer in the world

International Day Is just one month away

Parents around the world are uniting in support of the third International Childhood Cancer Day takes place on 15th February. 250,000 children get cancer every year and some 80% of them do not get access to adequate treatment and care.

Plans are now being put in place by organisations in over 40 countries. Events include media conferences, parties for children in hospitals and at camps, seminars, awareness campaigns, and fundraising.

Messages of support have been received from cancer organisations around the world, including the International Society of Paediatric Oncology, the World Health Organisation, and the World Medical Association.

A special international edition magazine is to be issued at the end of January to commemorate the event. Copies will be distributed to you in two weeks time.

Geoff Thaxter, ICCCPO organiser of the day said, “We believe this event will be our best yet and help members around the world raise awareness of their needs”

ICCCPO chair Simon Lala said, “We are delighted by the spirit of cooperation between organisations working for the common benefit of children with cancer”

Ends

For media information contact Geoff Thaxter at

Telephone +44 (0)1737 555411

Note to editors:

The International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations (ICCCPO) was founded in Spain in 1994. It has 65 member organisations in 52 countries. More information is available at

The International Childhood Cancer Day was declared in Luxemburg in September 2001. Details of the events and countries who took part in 2003 are available from

ICCCPO works closely with the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP). More information is available at

Cancer Research UK supports the ICCD. For more information contact Sarah Moore at or visit

The 2003 International Day was supported in 38 countries and raised over $300,000 to help support organisations in those countries.

The international launch of the event will take place in London on 11th February supported by international celebrities.

Facts about childhood cancer:

  • 250,000 children in the world get cancer each year
  • 70% survive with proper diagnosis & treatment
  • 80% of children with cancer live in developing countries and do not have access to adequate diagnosis and treatment
  • $50 can be enough to but drugs to treat a child with cancer
  • Over 100,000 deaths could be prevented each year with equal access to diagnosis and treatment

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