The petition of the undersigned shows:

CANCER KILLS MORE AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN THAN ALL OTHER DISEASES

1 IN 285 KIDS ARE DIAGNOSED PRIOR TO REACHING AGED 20

OVER 10,000 KIDS ARE BATTLING CANCER NOW

1 IN 5 CHILDREN ARE DEAD WITHIN 5 YEARS OF DIAGNOSIS

CANCER KILLS 4 AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN EVERY WEEK

80% SURVIVORS SUFFER SEVERE, CHRONIC LIFE LONG HEALTH PROBLEMS

Childhood cancer does not discriminate, it can affect any child aged 0-19 years. There are no known risk factors therefore research is the only way forward to improve life expectancy and the quality of life for long term survivors. Unfortunately paediatric cancer research is grossly underfunded by Governments in Australia and globally.

This needs to change!

Despite these facts, we continue to hear the term 'rare disease' associated with childhood cancer. However a rare disease as defined by law under the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 means a disease, or condition, likely to affect not more than 2,000 individuals in Australia at any time. Or have an incidence rate of 1 in 10,000 people or less as defined by The Australian Therapeutic Goods Authority (TGA).

The term 'rare disease' unjustly minimises the inconceivable devastation experienced by children and families every day and is detrimental to our cause. Unless someone has been personally affected, most people are unaware of how common and deadly this disease actually is! 

Childhood cancer has remained a 'silent killer' for too long!

​​Risks of developing many adult cancer types can be modified by healthy lifestyle choices. There are no known risk factors are associated with childhood cancer therefore improved outcomes are 100% reliant on research.  And here lies the problem!

Childhood cancer research is grossly underfunded!

Pharmaceutical companies do not invest in childhood cancer research, it is simply not cost effective. (Noting that around 60% of new adult cancer treatment development is dependant on the pharmaceutical industry). This means the financial burden of childhood cancer research falls on non-for-profit organisations and Governments. To date, childhood cancer research has been inadequately funded by Governments around the world.

Why this is happening?

Because children have no voice, no vote and no political influence. They are a minority completely dependant on adults. Children need our help, our support, our voice, our compassion and they need it NOW!

We regularly hear of the wonderful advancements made in childhood cancer outcomes, however these improvements have been measured over a 30 year period and progress has been mainly stagnant for a decade due to major funding deficiencies.

Our kids are tortured with toxic chemicals and radiation. Many current treatments currently administered are 40 years old. Around 60% of children diagnosed with cancer are treated on clinical trials.

This means there is no cure yet!

Childhood cancer is a massive international problem in desparate need of global support. Decreases in childhood cancer research funding by the U.S. Government impacts on children globally, especially in Australia.

This is our problem too!

Australian kids are further disadvantaged due to inadequate Government funding to run international clinical trials available in other countries.

The majority of clinical trials are offered through The Children's Oncology Group (COG) which is the largest International Childhood Cancer Research Collaboration and relies mainly on U.S. Government funding. Australian paediatric oncologists all 8 hospitals offering child oncology services are COG members.

Until recently, Australia's ability to access COG clinical trials were determined by COG, however this situation has changed. Decision making powers now rest with The Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) International committee, a branch of US Government funded National Cancer Institute (NCI).

This means less clinical trials!

There are also numerous regulatory barriers with regard to accessing new and innovative drugs for children.

Many drugs are not listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This even applies to certain drugs manufactured here in Australia which are offered to adults with different cancer types.

Our world class physicians are forced to plead with pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities to provide potentially life saving drugs on compassionate grounds and they often refuse access even when a child is dying.

Most people think childhood cancer "won't happen to me"

Many of our own kids, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, cousins and friends have been tortured to death. Our loss and pain is the driving force behind this campaign. The current healthcare system is failing children this needs to change. We do not want to be part of a childhood cancer campaign, but sadly we live every parent's worst nightmare every day.

The truth is that childhood cancer CAN invade your life at any time! 

We did not think it could happen to us until we heard those dreaded words, 'your child has cancer' and shared the misconception that childhood cancer was rare.

It is not as rare as you think!

We need to advocate for children affected by cancer and their families to ensure they are heard by our elected leaders. When developing policies and legislation with regard to health and welfare, our Government are legally obliged to consider the needs of children.

We cannot ask or plead for change, we must demand it!

We shall be persistent, truthful advocates and will stop at nothing to give kids a voice.

We know children should be protected from harm, torture, danger to life and death.

We know kids are entitled to adequate health care to preserve and enhance life.​​

"It could be your son, your daughter, it can happen to anyone"

We have a moral responsibility to protect our most innocent citizens, our children. Show Government that our children's lives are important. Tell them we care and demand change. Our elected leaders will take action and respond. Governments respond to issues identified as a public priority. Adults have power to influence the political agenda.

Children deserve nothing less than all and everything we can do to help. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Please sign this petition and share your concerns about the leading cause of disease related death in Australian children. Help irradiate childhood cancer and end the suffering of children from this insidious disease.

We encourage your support in this movement. We need€‹ everyone to step up and advocate for children affected by cancer and their families.

Kids cannot fight this alone! 

 

One Voice Against Childhood Cancer!€‹​

 

CHILDHOOD CANCER FACTS

• Around 1,100 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every year in Australia (180,000 worldwide)
• 1 in every 285 kids will develop cancer prior to reaching the age of 20 years
• 1 in every 5 childhood cancer patients will die within 5 years
• Currently there are over 10,000 Australian children aged 0-18 years battling childhood cancer
• On average, 4 Australian children will die each week from cancer (1,800 worldwide0
• 90% of childhood cancer survivors go on to develop life long chronic health conditions related to cancer and/or treatments
• Unlike many adult cancers, there are no known risk factors associated in 90% of childhood cancer patients
• Improved outcomes for children will increase only through research
• Childhood cancer does not discriminate, affecting any child regardless of their socioeconomic or cultural background
• The average age for a child to develop cancer is 8 years old
• When a child dies from cancer they lose approximately 74 life years. Life expectancy in Australia is 80 (males) 84 (females)
• Childhood cancer death accounts for the highest number of life years lost; more than any other cancer type
• Childhood cancer affects the age group 0-19 years which means 25% of the Australian population are at risk of being diagnosed

 

Australia signed The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC) on 22nd August 1990 and later ratified this legal obligation on 17th December 1990.  Ratification places legal responsibilities on Australia to comply with ALL articles of the UNCRC

UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF A CHILD

We (The Petitioners) request the following Guiding Principles of the UNCRC are brought to your attention with regard to childhood cancer

• Article 3. Best interests of a child.
  The best interests of children must be the primary concern in making decisions that may affect them. All adults should do what is best for children. When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children. This particularly applies to budget, policy and law makers.
• Article 6. Right to life, survival and development.
  Children have the right to live. Governments should ensure that children survive and develop healthily.
• Article 12. Respect for the views of the child.
  When adults are making decisions that affect children, children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinions taken into account.

We further request that UNCRC Articles 4, 23, and 24 are reviewed with regard to childhood cancer

• Article 4. Government has responsibility to ensure Children's Rights are upheld
• Article 23. Children who are dis-abled (disadvantaged by health reasons) should receive adequate care and support to live a full and independent life
• Article 24. Children have the right to good adequate health care 

 

We understand:

• Government has a legal obligation to protect children
• Childhood cancer remains the largest threat to children's lives
• Childhood cancer is a National Health Priority
• Childhood cancer research shall improve outcomes for children
• Childhood cancer research is inadequately funded in Australia
• Children have no voice, nor representation with regard to Government Health Policies or legislation
• Childhood cancer affects the age group 0-19 years, representing 25% of the Australian population
• Overall population = 24 million - population aged 0-19 = 6.2 million

 

TheTruth365-Australia is an organisational member of The Coalition Against Childhood Cancer which unites over 100 childhood cancer organisations together to advocate for all children and adolescents affected by cancer and their families.

https://cac2.org/organization/TheTruth365-Australia/

 

We request the Australian Senate proceeds to;

• Endorse of Childhood Cancer as a National Health Priority
• Review of Current Government Health Policies and Legislation
• Urgently Increase Childhood Cancer Research Funding

 

For more detailed information visit our website 

thetruth365aus.org

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