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International Childhood Cancer Day

Raising Awareness and Making a Difference

Hello, Tutti fam!

We hope you had an amazing and fruitful week and that your weekend is going great as you recharge for the days ahead.

In our last newsletter, we delved into the world of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancers, shedding light on these often overlooked but significant health concerns. As we continue to shine a spotlight on different types of cancer, it's essential to recognise the significance of events like World Cancer Day and, coming up on February 15th, International Childhood Cancer Day.

Watch the Youtube video on Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancers

This month, our focus remains steadfast on raising awareness and understanding of childhood cancer, a topic close to our hearts. But why is International Childhood Cancer Day so important?

Childhood cancer is a topic that touches the lives of many families worldwide. Statistics reveal that each year, an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents between the ages of 0 to 19 years old are diagnosed with cancer. Among the most common types of childhood cancers are leukemias, brain cancers, lymphomas, and solid tumors like neuroblastoma and Wilms tumors.

In the face of these sobering statistics, it's essential to continue raising awareness, supporting research, and advocating for improved access to care for childhood cancer patients worldwide.

While the overall survival rates for childhood cancer have improved significantly in high-income countries, where comprehensive healthcare services are generally accessible, the scenario is starkly different in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In these regions, less than 30% of children with cancer are cured, primarily due to barriers such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to proper treatment, and obstacles in obtaining essential medicines and care.

Unfortunately, disparities in access to healthcare services persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the majority of childhood cancer cases occur. Efforts to address these inequities are vital to improve survival rates and outcomes for children with cancer worldwide.

Moreover, childhood cancer cannot generally be prevented or identified through screening, making early detection and prompt access to quality care crucial for improving outcomes. Despite these challenges, it's worth noting that most childhood cancers can be effectively treated with generic medicines and other forms of treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy. However, ensuring access to these treatments remains a significant issue, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Let's join hands and raise awareness about childhood cancer by sharing information, supporting organisations that provide care and resources to affected families, and advocating for equitable access to quality healthcare services for children worldwide.

Understanding Nutritional Requirements for Children with Cancer

Children with cancer often require increased calorie and protein intake to support growth and tissue repair. High-calorie and high-protein foods like eggs, milk, peanut butter, and cheese are recommended. In cases where eating is difficult, tube feedings or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may be necessary to ensure adequate nutrition. Additionally, certain dietary restrictions may be advised during specific phases of treatment, such as avoiding raw vegetables and undercooked meats after chemotherapy.

Managing treatment side effects is crucial for maintaining proper nutrition. Strategies for common side effects include offering smaller, more frequent meals; serving soft, easy-to-chew foods for mouth sores; providing flavourful foods for taste changes; encouraging hydration for dry mouth; and offering easy-to-digest foods for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Oral hygiene is also important to prevent tooth decay.

Supportive care from healthcare teams can help alleviate treatment-related symptoms and facilitate proper nutrition. Each child's response to treatment varies, so individualised dietary plans and adjustments may be necessary. By addressing nutritional needs and managing treatment side effects effectively, children undergoing cancer treatment can improve their overall well-being and enhance their chances of successful recovery.

Read about Nutritional Requirements for Children with Cancer here.

As we observe International Childhood Cancer Day, it's essential to highlight the importance of early diagnosis, access to effective treatment, and the need for continued research and investment in childhood cancer care. By raising awareness, advocating for better healthcare infrastructure, and supporting organisations working towards improving outcomes for children with cancer, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of young cancer warriors and their families.

If you want to learn more about childhood cancer, read our newsletter published 5 months ago here

So, as we commemorate this significant day, let's join hands in spreading awareness, offering support, and advocating for better healthcare services for children battling cancer. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every child has access to the care and treatment they need to thrive.

Join us on February 15th to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with these brave young warriors and their families. Together, we can make a difference!

Last Thursday at Tutti Frutti Women, we had a heartwarming activity with our community where we crafted poems dedicated to our little heroes. These poems were a beautiful tribute to the courage, resilience, and strength shown by children facing cancer. Let's take a moment to appreciate some of these heartfelt creations together.

Community Impact: Empowering Cancer Warriors

At Tutti Frutti Women, we believe in the power of community and collective action to make a positive impact on the lives of cancer warriors. Through our initiatives and support, we strive to bring hope, strength, and resources to those battling cancer.

One shining example of our community's impact is the story of David, a courageous cancer warrior who has inspired us all. David was among the first beneficiaries of our initiative to support warriors during the NFT minting process. Through our collective efforts, we were able to purchase an NFT from David, showcasing his resilience and spirit.

Recently, our community had the opportunity to further demonstrate our support for David. The NFT we acquired from him was sold in an auction, fetching a significant amount of 0.07 ETH. We are proud to share that all proceeds from this sale were donated directly to David, contributing to his ongoing battle against cancer.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded of the impact we can have when we come together as a family. With each minted NFT, we are not only creating art but also making a tangible difference in the lives of those fighting cancer.

Currently, we are just 29 mints away from supporting another brave warrior, Donna. With your continued participation and support, we can reach this goal and extend a helping hand to another individual in need.

Together, as a family, let's keep up the momentum and continue making a difference in the lives of cancer warriors. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to our shared goal of spreading love, hope, and positivity in the face of adversity.

Join Us in Making a Difference

As we look ahead to International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15th, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting cancer warriors like David and Donna. Together, we can raise awareness, offer support, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by childhood cancer.

Stay tuned for more updates, resources, and initiatives as we continue our journey towards creating a world where cancer is no longer a life-threatening diagnosis, but a manageable and treatable condition. Let's stand together in solidarity with these brave warriors and their families.

Wishing you all a week ahead filled with joy, love, health and the knowledge that your efforts are making a real difference in the lives of others!

Thank you for being a part of our awesome community and for your commitment to spreading cancer awareness and support. Together, we are stronger!

Are You a Champion in the Fight Against Cancer? Have you or a loved one faced cancer's challenges? Your journey is truly inspiring. If you have a personal cancer story to share and want to help raise awareness, we'd love to connect with you! Your story has the power to make a difference. Reach out to us via email tuttifruttiwomen@gmail.com, Twitter, or Discord today and let your voice be heard!

Please note: The information provided in this newsletter is for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

If you found this newsletter informative and valuable, please consider sharing it with your friends and family. You can also collect it for just 5 $MATIC, a contribution that goes directly to our donation wallet (0x83F371C97B80BD9BbA4330164F0Bf47E857577DC), supporting cancer warriors on their journey.

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