The Little Brave Canary Foundation celebrates the month of awareness of childhood cancer
with the challenge of proposing a more empathetic and assertive language when addressing childhood cancer
On the occasion of the celebration of the month of awareness of childhood cancer, the month of September on this occasion, the Fundación Canaria Pequeño Valiente in collaboration with the Spanish Federation of Families of Childhood Cancer carries out a series of actions to make visible the reality of the disease and raise awareness about the need to implement certain measures that improve the quality of life of oncohematological patients, survivors and their families.
This year, the challenge is to improve the correct use of language when talking about childhood cancer, with the aim of ending the stigma and stereotypical images so deeply rooted in our current society, such as those generated when children are identified with superheroes or wrestlers.
One of the proposals is the publication of the story “Childhood cancer without stories”, which proposes alternative and assertive terms to talk about the disease and which will be distributed in the educational centres of the islands. Canarian students will also be encouraged to send messages of support to hospitalised oncohematological patients, following a series of recommendations.
Instead of “battle against childhood cancer”, the proposed terms are “treatment”, “process” or “disease”. Instead of “warrior”, “champion” or “heroine”, “child with cancer”. Instead of “losing the battle”, “dying”. According to the Foundation, these terms, although well-intentioned, can cause discomfort, stress or sadness in children and adolescents with cancer and their families, by placing the responsibility of healing on the strength of the child.
Once the messages have been prepared by the students, teachers can share them on social media with the hashtags #ChildhoodCancerWithoutStories #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #GoldSeptember2024.
This month, the National Survivors Meeting will also take place in Madrid, where young people from the associative movement who have overcome cancer in childhood or adolescence will meet to address the priority needs of this group that must be implemented throughout Spain and continue to advance in equal rights and opportunities.
The awareness month campaign culminates with the promotion of the golden ribbon. On September 22, various emblematic buildings and monuments throughout the country will be illuminated in gold starting at 20:00 p.m. In the Canary Islands, the proposal has been presented to Town Halls, Councils and other public institutions to illuminate their facades.
In addition, golden frames will be disseminated on social media inviting society as a whole to show their commitment to the families of children with cancer.
The Fundación Canaria Pequeño Valiente is a non-profit regional entity that was created as an initiative of a group of mothers and fathers of children hospitalized in the Pediatric Oncohematology Unit of the Maternal and Child Hospital of Gran Canaria. Founded in 2006, this organization provides social, psychological, rehabilitation (physiotherapy and speech therapy), educational and nutritional support, as well as sports and recreational activities for children with cancer and their families. All of this with the aim of improving the quality of life of patients and their families.
