The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC), which brings together science, health care and nuclear organizations from across the country, announced its support of today’s International Childhood Cancer Day.
International Childhood Cancer Day is recognized globally as part of the effort to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. Among the events taking place is a ceremony organized by local members of Childhood Cancer International `to raise the Childhood Cancer Flag at Ottawa City Hall today (Saturday, Feb. 15).
According to Childhood Cancer International, more than 300,000 children ages birth to 19 years are diagnosed with cancer annually. Approximately eight in 10 of these children live in low and middle-income countries where their survival rate is often near 20 per cent. The target goal of the World Health Organization’s Global Childhood Cancer Initiative is to eliminate all pain and suffering of children fighting cancer, and achieve at least 60 per cent survival for all children diagnosed with cancer around the world by 2030.
“The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council was created to make sure Canada continues to lead internationally in the production of isotopes that are used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” said CNIC Chair James Scongack. “On International Childhood Cancer Day, we stand with doctors, scientists, researchers and everyone else committed to improving existing methods and finding new ones to save the lives of girls and boys around the world.”
“And our members will continue to support those children and their families by not only leading the way in producing isotopes but by also advocating for policies here in Canada and internationally that will make the lives of our young people better.”
Ottawa will also be the site of the 52nd World Congress of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology in October.
About the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
The CNIC is a coalition of science, health care and nuclear sector organizations to ensure Canada remains a world leader in the production of life-saving isotopes by bringing awareness and supporting long-term policies at the domestic and international level that will save countless lives and support health-care innovation for decades to come. To learn more about the CNIC visit www.CanadianIsotopes.ca and follow us on, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
