Here at ISCC (The International Society for Children with Cancer) we know what it’s like for parents and children battling cancer. Global data from the American Cancer Society shows that in 2008, over 175,300 new cancer cases among children aged 0-14 were diagnosed and approximately 96,400 children died. Unfortunately even with these numbers available, awareness and research on treatment for children is limited, leaving millions of children and parents unable to receive necessary medical attention. It is our goal to ensure that every child suffering from cancer should have access to adequate and effective treatment. Thus, our purpose and commitment is to globally increase access to treatment for underprivileged children with cancer and support their families during the healing process.
Although cancer is diagnosed less frequently for those 15 and younger, it is still one of the largest issues faced by parents and our current healthcare system. According to the National Cancer Institute, there has been a large increase in the incidence of children diagnosed with all forms of invasive cancer over the last 20 years, with rates going from 11.5 cases per 100,000 children in 1975 to 14.8 per 100,000 children in 2004 (NCI, 2008). However, due to significant advances in treatment and diagnoses, during this same 20 year period “death rates [have] declined dramatically and 5-year survival rates increased for most childhood cancers” (NCI, 2008).
In order to help these children and reduce these rates even further, we need your help. As some have noted, childhood cancer is “for life”. Even among those children that receive necessary treatment, almost “two-thirds face at least one chronic health condition [and] one quarter face a late-effect from treatment that is classified as severe or life-threatening.” (ACCO, 2012). It is important for us to help those in all stages of treatment and recovery; from those that have been recently diagnosed, to those that are recovering from treatment and suffering from “late-effects”. The American Childhood Cancer Organization notes that these effects encompass a large number of secondary difficulties, including “heart damage, second cancers, lung damage, infertility, cognitive impairment, growth deficits, hearing loss, and more” (ACCO, 2012).
ISCC is publicly supported through donations from individuals like yourself, charitable foundations and businesses that support our mission and recognize the urgent need to improve treatment and cure childhood cancers. With your help, we can increase awareness for all forms of childhood cancers while simultaneously striving to offer the best and most effective treatments to those currently in need.
All contributions to ISCC are tax deductible. ISCC raises funds through gifts from individuals, special giving programs, membership, events, corporate sponsorships, grants, Nowruz Bazaar and the sale of note cards drawn by children fighting cancer.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2007. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society. Retrieved 7/20/12, from https://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2007PWSecured.pdf
American Childhood Cancer Organization (2012). Childhood Cancer Statistics. Retrieved 07/29/12, from https://www.acco.org/Information/AboutChildhoodCancer/ChildhoodCancerStatistics.aspx
National Cancer Institute (2008). Childhood Cancers. Retrieved 7/20/12, from https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/childhood
