Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026
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According to the latest estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, over 275,000 children and adolescents aged 19 and under were diagnosed with cancer in 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer aims to improve the survival rate of children with cancer to 60% by 2030 and double the current cure rate.
When is Childhood Cancer Awareness month?
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month takes place every September, and aims to generate awareness and support for children suffering from cancer.
About childhood cancer
Common cancer types that affect children include leukemia, brain cancer, neuroblastoma and the Wilms tumor. Leukemia is the most common cancer type seen, and has the highest mortality rate for childhood cancer. While further research is still needed, approximately 10% of children with cancer have a genetic predisposition increasing their cancer risk.
In developing countries, where access to healthcare and diagnostic tests may be limited, cases of childhood cancer may be difficult to diagnose, resulting in lower cure rates. However, if childhood cancer services are readily available, it is possible for over 80% of childhood cancer cases to be cured.
Upcoming childhood cancer advocacy events in 2026
The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation will hold its annual gala to advance childhood cancer research and care on October 24, 2026, in Huntington Beach, California, aiming to raise over $25 million USD for childhood cancer care and research.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer has organized The Million Mile 2026 event, which will run from September 1 to 30, 2026. The event aims to collectively log one million miles in a walkathon, with over 8,500 participants so far.
The bipartisan Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus will hold the 17th Annual Childhood Cancer Summit, on September 17, 2026 in Capitol Hill, Washington. The event aims to bring together members of U.S. Congress, advocates, researchers, healthcare professionals and the childhood cancer community together, to support efforts to improve outcomes for those facing childhood cancer.