The Golden September campaign is devoted to infant and child cancers, which affect nearly 1,800 young people under the age of 15 in France each year. 2022 dates, actions, figures, ribbon, how to make a donation… All about this solidarity event.
In France, it is nearly 1,800 children who are diagnosed with cancer every year. Among them, 180 are less than a year old. Golden September is the international childhood cancer month (pediatric cancers). Throughout the month of September, the challenge of this solidarity campaign is to raise public awareness of childhood cancer, their specificities in the diagnosis and their care, mobilize funds to collect the means necessary for the development of the treatments of tomorrow. The theme of the year 2022 is not yet known. The 2021 edition was dedicated to infiltrating brainstem glioma (GITC), a rare brain tumor affecting children and adolescents. The cancer cells of the GITC have a unique functioning, which makes them inoperable. None of the standard treatments being effective, only research remains the only recourse. September in Gold is also an opportunity to remember that the multidisciplinary teams of the SIREDO center of the Institut Curie work to enable infants with cancer to grow up without sequelae and to develop new therapies when there is no treatment. What is Golden September? How to make a donation ? What are the donations used for?
Definition: what is Golden September?
In tribute to his son Noé, who died of cancer in 2014 when he was only 10 years old, Frédéric Lemos continues his fight against cancer with the Institute Gustave Roussy, a pioneer in the care of young patients. Together they launched, “Golden September“, a national campaign dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer. They hope to raise awareness of the cause, collect millions of euros from the public, donors and patrons to enable research in the field of pediatric medicine to move forward faster.”Despite advances in research, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children over the age of one“, specifies the press release of the foundation. Indeed, 500 children and teenagers die each year of cancer in France and 6,000 in Europe. Moreover, while 80% of young patients recover from cancer, there are still 20% of treatment failures.
What is the September in Gold logo?
Golden ribbon: what does it symbolize?
The golden ribbon is the symbol of the fight against childhood cancer. Wearing it allows you to display your awareness of this solidarity cause.
What are Golden September donations used for?
Better heal sick children. Presenting different mechanisms from those of adults, oncology in children requires particular attention in the field of research. In order to better understand the role of the immune system in the development of cancer in the youngest, the use of new technologies making it possible to set up new therapeutic devices costs a lot of money but nevertheless remains essential. According to the Gustave Roussy Institute, 10 million euros that the campaign hopes to collect will thus make it possible to finance four major works: genetics, immunotherapy, better living after cancer and finally facilitating the course of care.
For make a donation to the Gustave Roussy Institutego to the Foundation website where a collection page has been created or for a donation of 5 euros, text the word “CHILD” to 92 250.
What are the figures for childhood cancer in France?
The Institut Curie relayed the figures from the Childhood Cancer Registry of the National Cancer Institute (2021)
► Close to 1800 children (under 15) diagnosed with cancer each year in France
► Over 80% overall 5-year chance of survival pediatric cancer (all types of cancer and all ages)
► 2/3 of children have sequelae, often minimal, sometimes more severe
►180 infants (under 1 year old) diagnosed in France each year
► 340 new young patients (children up to adulthood) are cared for each year at Institut Curie, including 50 infants.
The most common cancers in infants are:
- neuroblastoma (at the level of the adrenal glands and nerve ganglia),
- retinoblastoma (retina),
- nephroblastoma (kidney),
- hepatoblastoma (liver)
- central nervous system tumours.