Globally, 400 000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, which means 3 children are diagnosed with cancer every 4 minutes. Of these cases, 90% occur in low- and middle-income countries, where only a fifth of diagnosed children survive. In contrast, children born in high-income countries have a more than 80% chance of surviving childhood cancer. The difference in survival rates is one of the most significant inequalities across cancer types.

Behind each statistic is a child’s story. To ensure these stories shape policies and inspire change, the voices of survivors must be heard.

During the recent national childhood cancer stakeholder workshop held in Egypt, 4 cancer survivors explained how their journeys shaped their perceptions of the gift of life and spoke about the tremendous efforts by health care providers and their families to relieve their pain and uncertainty. They said the peer support they received and the social bonds they developed with other childhood cancer survivors brightened the most difficult days. The workshop was inaugurated by H.E. the Minister of Health and Population Dr Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar who listened attentively to the speakers.