Cyprus and health advocates marched in Brussels to raise awareness of childhood cancer ahead of the Cyprus turn, which is at the helm of the Council of the European Union next year.
The group marched to support the Little Heroes Foundation for Children with Leukemia and other forms of cancer, and in 2017 began research on the initiative of the European People’s Party’s Cyprus MEP Lucas Forus. It officially became the foundation in 2021.
The group aims to provide psychological and financial support to families of children suffering from leukemia or other cancers who are undergoing treatment at Macario Hospital in Cyprus or overseas for treatment.
At the weekend event, organizers welcomed the foundation’s work and pushed for the high on the agenda when Cyprus took the council’s presidency in January.
“This is the first time we’ve walked for a little Brussels hero, and we’re extremely proud,” said Marina Savidou, one of the event’s organizers and policy advisor to the European Parliament.
The European Society for Pediatric Oncology also attended the first Brussels Walk, which aimed to send a message that Cyprus could lead towards health and connect public awareness on issues such as pediatric cancer.
Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death in children and teenagers, with an estimated 14,000 new diagnoses and 2,000 deaths per year In the EU.
The most common types include leukemia, brain tumors, lymphomas and solid tumors, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“It is therefore important for people to recognize that this is a major public health issue in Europe today,” says Kira Sheehan, Strategy Director of the European Association for Pediatric Oncology.
Meanwhile, Savvidou emphasized that when Brussels walked, “the message goes where you need to go.”
“Children have to fight cancer on their own,” she added.