FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pediatric Access to Clinical Trials Highlighted with New Campaign
Childhood Cancer Canada to raise awareness on the importance of access to early phase clinical trials and precision therapies for International Childhood Cancer Day
February 15, 2021 (TORONTO, ON) – Childhood Cancer Canada today launched a new campaign on International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) highlighting the importance of pediatric access to early phase clinical trials and precision therapies. The social media campaign features an animated gold ribbon, the international symbol of childhood cancer, that unveils six stories of Canadian children who have been positively impacted by their participation in a clinical trial.
“Ensuring Canadian kids have access to cutting edge clinical trials is critically important,” said Patrick Sullivan, Board Chair for Childhood Cancer Canada. “This campaign was created to both highlight the incredible clinical research being accomplished that can improve outcomes for kids with cancer in Canada and also to shine a light on the importance of working collaboratively to remove barriers to access, especially for children who have run out of treatment options.”
The six patient stories featured in the new campaign include impact quotes that emphasize the difference a clinical trial can make to a child with cancer, like: “Access to a clinical trial means more time for tea with her stuffed bears”, or “Access to a clinical trial means more energy to dance and sing like a rock star.” The stories will be boosted on social media with more detailed patient stories available on the website. To read the patient stories, please visit: childhoodcancer.ca/clinicaltrials.
Since 2006, Childhood Cancer Canada has been the primary charitable funding partner of clinical trials and childhood cancer research for C17, comprised of Canada’s leading pediatric oncologists and hematologists. The Foundation supports their efforts to improve outcomes and quality of life for children and adolescents with cancer and serious blood disorders in Canada. Part of this effort involves spreading awareness and providing education on the importance of Canadian children having access to early phase clinical trials and precision therapies.
Childhood Cancer Canada also supports families across the country who have been impacted by childhood cancer with programs that include: EmPower Packs, provided to children newly diagnosed with cancer; the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, for Canadian childhood cancer families in active treatment who have been financially impacted by the current crisis; Survivor Scholarships, for childhood cancer survivors with post-secondary academic aspirations; and the Benevolent Fund, that provides financial assistance to help families with the costs of their child’s funeral.
For more information on Childhood Cancer Canada, please visit childhoodcancer.ca.
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About Childhood Cancer Canada
Childhood Cancer Canada is Canada’s leading foundation dedicated to funding national research, while delivering support and programing for families affected by childhood cancer. More than 10,000 children in Canada are in treatment for cancer right now and one in five will not survive beyond five years. Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease of Canadian children. Childhood Cancer Canada’s focus is on saving, enhancing, and extending the lives of kids with cancer.
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For more information, please contact:
Kathy Motton
Director, Marketing and Communications
Childhood Cancer Canada
[email protected]
416-315-4535