NCPPS Holds Series of Events for International Childhood Cancer Day

The National Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery JSC (hereinafter "NCPPS JSC"), with support from the "Help Today" and "Assel Baiseitova ABFond" foundations, held a series of events from February 10–17 as part of a republican campaign for International Childhood Cancer Day, observed worldwide on February 15. The campaign was held under the slogan "Together Against Cancer!"

International Childhood Cancer Day is observed worldwide on February 15. This Day was declared in Luxembourg in September 2001 during the annual meeting of the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations.

The first International Childhood Cancer Day was held in 2002. The main goal of this day is to raise awareness among pediatricians, the entire professional medical community, and socially responsible citizens of all professions about the achievements and challenges of pediatric oncology.

In Kazakhstan, various events are traditionally organized on this day with the participation of patients themselves and their parents, medical workers, and public organizations.

On February 12, ahead of International Childhood Cancer Day, NCPPS JSC, in partnership with the "Assel Baiseitova ABFond" Charitable Foundation, held a round table on "Current Issues in Donation, Bone Marrow Transplantation, and Rehabilitation of Oncology Patients." Doctors, NGO representatives, and parents of sick children undergoing treatment at NCPPS took part. The main goal of the event was to explain the indications, conditions, and risks of hematopoietic stem cell donation. Presentations were given on the current state of this service in Kazakhstan, and challenges and prospects for the development of pediatric oncohematology were discussed.

"In Kazakhstan, approximately 600 new cases of childhood cancer are identified each year. In 2024, 638 children in the country were diagnosed with cancer for the first time. After completing intensive antitumor treatment at national centers, children are monitored at their place of residence under the supervision of regional pediatric oncologists and hematologists. Currently, around 4,987 children who are in remission after treatment for malignant tumors are under dispensary observation in the country. Approximately 70% of childhood cancers are successfully treated, thanks to improved diagnostics and the use of modern therapeutic methods.

Unfortunately, there are currently no childhood cancer prevention or screening programs anywhere in the world. However, it has been proven that early diagnosis of solid tumors improves the chances of recovery. That is why raising awareness among the medical community and the general public about the early symptoms of cancer plays an important role. Thanks to ongoing training of regional physicians in oncological vigilance, the diagnosis of stageable tumors at stages 1–2 has increased from 29% in 2015 to 46% in 2024," said Lyazat Manzhuova, Chief Freelance Pediatric Oncohematologist of the Ministry of Healthcare, at the round table.

From February 13–14, 2025, festive events were held for children, including:

• A flash mob and concert for children with the participation of doctors and residents of NCPPS JSC;
• A fairy-tale musical performance by the "Zazerkalye" theater;
• Pottery and 3D modeling workshops;
• An art therapy and handicraft workshop;
• A visit from a mobile planetarium;
• Entertainment events with performers.

On February 15, NCPPS JSC, together with the "Help Today" Foundation and the "Union of Pediatricians" Public Association, held a large nonstop charity concert at the Forum Shopping and Entertainment Center, featuring well-known artists and performing groups: the band "Urker," Kenzhebek Nurdoldai, Samat Zhangazin, the children's creative center "MMDANCE," the Military Orchestra of the Almaty branch of the National Patriotic Center, and others. The highlight of the event was a ceremonial walk down the red carpet by NCPPS JSC patients who had beaten cancer at a young age. All children received commemorative gifts and medals. More than 500 people took part in the event, including children and their parents, volunteers, and doctors.

On the same day, the "Help Today" Foundation organized a charity fair featuring consumer goods, a painting auction, and an exhibition of drawings by patients undergoing treatment at NCPPS JSC and the Kazakh Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology (KazNIIOiR) JSC.

The main goal of this campaign was to equip the Oncology and Hematology Departments of NCPPS JSC with mobile medication stations, for a total value of more than 7,000,000 tenge.

Additionally, to raise public awareness about childhood cancer, the need to support patients and their families facing this serious illness, and the importance of early cancer diagnosis, short video clips were shown on media boards and LED screens for a week in 10 cities of republican and regional significance, and billboards featuring the symbols of International Childhood Cancer Day were displayed.

Videos and posts with information about the symptoms of childhood cancer and about patients cured of childhood cancer were shared on NCPPS JSC's official social media pages, and a special podcast was also recorded.

Similar events were held in various regions of the country.

Experts say that children with malignant diseases become stronger when they feel the support of those around them. So let's always support our children!

The goal of the campaign is to draw public attention to the problem of childhood cancer and to raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis.