Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month was first proclaimed by former US President Obama in 2010. Since then it has become a global initiative, raising awareness across the globe for childhood cancer.

The Gold Ribbon

The history of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month originated in 2010 when the President of the United States, Barack Obama proclaimed Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness that children with cancer need help from the Community. Since then it has become a global initiative, raising awareness across the globe for childhood cancer.

Awareness ribbons enable international action for a particular cause. The Gold Ribbon is the official colour for Childhood Cancer Awareness. Gold is a precious metal and represents the precious lives lost to childhood cancer and in recognition of each child’s strength, courage and resilience. Wearing the gold ribbon is symbolic of solidarity across the globe and represents all children affected with cancer and their families.

With awareness comes support, Government funding is limited and can only stretch so far and the urgently needed and vital funds for research programs and projects which are key for improving outcomes and working towards the reality of a cure predominantly come from the generosity of the Community.

Brain Cancer kills more children than any other disease; with a child losing their life every eleven (11) days. The Dainere’s Rainbow Team invite you to join us to elevate significant awareness to bring hope and create change by turning your local community GOLD during the month of September.

My little voice could only make a small difference, but together many voices could create change – Dainere Anthoney

Statistics

Alarmingly each year, more than 950 children and adolescents aged 0-19 in Australia and 163,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer.

One third of childhood cancers are diagnosed in children aged 0-4 years.

Every week, approximately three children or adolescents in Australia and 1,500 children worldwide tragically die from cancer.

– Children’s Cancer Institute, 2016

Some quick facts

  • Childhood cancer is very different to adult cancer
  • Brain cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in Australian children
  • Three families hear the words “Your child has cancer” everyday
  • Some types of childhood cancer have less than 20 per cent survival rates
  • Ninety per cent of survivors of childhood cancer will develop chronic health conditions as a result of their cancer treatments
  • Research is the only way to improve treatments and survivorship for children with cancer
  • Creating greater awareness of childhood cancer and the importance of research can help save lives in the future
  • Community donations are essential in order to improve cure rates and fund better treatments

Make a difference

Inviting You To Be Golden This September:

  • Golden Moments – Share on Facebook and Instagram your ‘Golden Moments’ during this Month #turningseptembergold #goldforkidscancer
  • Light Up Gold – Advocate for buildings to be lit gold in your street, school, business, suburb or State.
  • Golden Bake – Bake some golden delights and raise awareness and funds in your workplace, school or community
  • Schools Turn Gold – Have a Golden Mufti Day or Golden Sports Day
  • Golden Gardens – Plant Golden Plants in Your Garden or make some Golden Flowers and add a sign to let people know it is for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
  • Golden Coins – Collect as many gold coins as possible throughout the month of September and donate them to a charity committed to making the lives of children with cancer better, you may like to look for one that gives 100% of funds raised or donated.
  • Gold Ribbon – Wear a Gold Ribbon in your hair or on your clothing each day during the month of September or put a gold ribbon on your social media page
  • Golden Locks – Colour Your Hair with Gold or Golden Sparkles this Month to raise awareness and funds
  • Gold Challenge – Challenge yourself to a new challenge each day during the month and post on your social media to let people know why you are doing this
  • Facts Are Golden – Share as many Childhood Cancer Awareness Facts as possible with all your networks this September this will assist to elevate signifcant awareness within the community and may lead to more funds raised by childhood cancer specific charities.
  • Golden Bear (in downloads) – Display a Gold Bear on your letterbox, house, garden, business, car or school.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land where we meet and work, the Ngunnawal people, and the many other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from across Australia who have now made Canberra their home. We celebrate and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of the ACT and region.

Dainere's Rainbow is a not for profit organisation - 100% of all funds raised or donated go to paediatric brain tumour research at Sydney Children's Hospital
Our Corporate Partners

Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation are proud to display the new Registered Charity Tick from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), which aims to gives reassurance to the public that the charities they support are transparent and accountable. We rely on your donations and volunteering to ensure we can continue our vital work, so we want you to know your support is making a difference. Where you see the logo, it means the charity is registered with the ACNC so the public can easily find out what they do, who their beneficiaries are, how they are governed and how they manage their finances.