Cancer charities come together to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
To mark September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Cancer Fund for Children, The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity and Friends of the Cancer Centre held a special “Go Gold” event in two Belfast hospitals, complete with balloons, fun activities and goodie bags.
Taking place on Friday 5th and Wednesday 10th September, in the City Hospital and Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, these events provided patients with a safe space where they could have fun while raising awareness of the support offered.
We’re delighted to ‘Go Gold’ in clinic and on the ward again this year alongside The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity and Friends of the Cancer Centre to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For families navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis, the impact on the family extends far beyond the essential medical care, and events like these are a chance to get families together and having fun, while highlighting the support available to them.
Beth O'Hare, Youth Support Worker at Cancer Fund for Children
Throughout the month of September, approximately 10 children and young people (aged 0-24) will be diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness of this reality and the impact a childhood cancer diagnosis can have on the whole family.
We look forward to the ‘Go Gold’ days every September. These events are a great opportunity to join our colleagues from Cancer Fund for Children and Friends of the Cancer to meet children, young people and their families and spread some special cheer during a hospital visit or stay. Daily life changes dramatically with a childhood cancer diagnosis but events like these give families something to enjoy together and are a fantastic opportunity for us to show our support during their journey.
Jane Hoare, Chief Executive Officer at The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is an important time and an opportunity to show families impacted by cancer that they are not alone. We are really delighted to work alongside Cancer Fund for Children and The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity on the Go Gold days. As well as highlighting the support on offer through the vital work of each organisation, it was an opportunity to create special moments for families and bring a little joy to young people.
Ana Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Friends of the Cancer Centre
