Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2022 – Making Your Voice Heard is Easy!

 by Alan Davidson and Olga Kozhaeva, SIOP Advocacy Committee

A visionary collaboration 

SIOP and CCI are delighted to commemorate Gold September. 

Through this effort, we aim to share information on cancer affecting children and adolescents, promote the golden color/ribbon as a universal symbol, and engage all stakeholders who have a role in advancing life-saving interventions. 

As a professional society, SIOP is privileged to cooperate with CCI which unites parents, patients and survivors, and has been at the forefront of raising awareness about childhood cancer for many years. Quite appropriately, they lead the conversation on issues affecting the patient community, and in so doing, they help us to focus our advocacy efforts. 

Through monthly meetings of dedicated SIOP and CCI representatives, we have crafted an approach that we believe is engaging and will resonate strongly throughout Gold September 2022 and beyond.  

Amplifying the reach of local action 

For Gold September 2022, we propose a simple approach that places local action and creativity at its heart – any Gold September-themed initiative is welcome and we will gladly profile it through our wide-reaching communication channels.  

To foster visibility and a united global voice, we also provide broad guidelines and templates for the community. By using these features (see below), your content can be located easily and your activism and support widely recognized. 

Spotlight 

Gold September 2022 coincides with the timing of the SIOP Annual Congress 2022 in Barcelona. Taking advantage of this unique opportunity, the event will feature dedicated activities, and public landmarks in the city will be lit up in gold.

How to take part 

The following thematic areas are proposed for Gold September 2022 activities where possible: 

1. Universal access to early diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment, 
2. Research and innovation, 
3. Survivorship and quality of life.

Examples of initiatives include, for example: 

• Approach your local authorities to light up or decorate landmark buildings in gold 
• Use our special Gold September designs on your social media channels:  https://www.twibbonize.com/goldseptember
• Organize local policy and/or public events 
• Post messages, photos, videos on social media by adding the global hashtags: #GoldSeptember and/or #SupportKidsWithCancer
• Run or walk with us at the SIOP ‘Walk-Run’ for Fun at the SIOP Congress 

Let’s make it a great success

We hope that you will all help to mark Gold September, and in so doing  shine a light on the global paediatric oncology community and the urgent need to “Cure for more, Care for all”.