The International Childhood Cancer Day is marked on February 15.

The International Childhood Cancer Day was declared in Luxemburg in September 2001.

When diagnosed early enough, and treated with the appropriate protocols, approximately 70% of childhood cancers are curable.

However, today only 20% of the world's children benefit from advanced medical care.

Children living in the underdeveloped countries account for 80% of the world's population of children. Some of these children have cancer and are currently denied the right to hope for a cure, the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations (ICCCPO) said on its website.

ICCCPO exists so that the parents of these children have access to the information they require to make educated decisions about their child's treatment.

The treatment and care of childhood cancer requires a whole interdisciplinary team, to provide not just the medical treatment of the child (which may include surgery and radiation), but also the psychosocial support for the child and the whole family.

Close cooperation between the medical team at the hospital and the parents of the child is considered to be an essential component of the successful treatment and care of the child.

Parent groups have an integral and vital part to play, in supporting the children and the families.