April 25 is 'Childhood Cancer Gold Ribbon Day'

We, the Gold Ribbon Network Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, are working towards creating a society where children with cancer can live with peace of mind and smiles.

In Japan, approximately 2,000 children are diagnosed with childhood cancer every year. Due to medical advancements, the cure rate for childhood cancer has reached about 80%, but it still remains the leading cause of death by disease among children.

Additionally, due to the effects of the cancer and long-term treatments, it is said that about half of childhood cancer survivors experience physical and mental impacts known as late effects. Late effects include impacts on growth and development, organ function, reproductive ability, secondary tumors, and decreased immune function.

Thus, childhood cancer imposes a significant burden not only during treatment but also in post-discharge life on the children themselves and their families, and under such circumstances, they must navigate a long life post-treatment.

Therefore, in order to let more people know about childhood cancer, we established April 25 as 'Childhood Cancer Gold Ribbon Day' in 2009, based on a Japanese wordplay matching 'Sho (4) ni (2) gan (Cancer)' and 'Go (5) - ld'. We hope this day serves as a catalyst for more people to participate in our support activities.

◆Why 'Gold Ribbon'?

The 'Gold Ribbon' is the symbol mark for activities supporting children with cancer. The gold ribbon is used as a symbol based on the idea that 'children are, to us, the [most precious treasures], like gold.'

◆Support Activities of the Gold Ribbon Network

GRN Childhood Cancer Transportation Subsidy System

A subsidy system to support childhood cancer patients and their families who require treatment at distant medical institutions. It covers expenses such as transportation to the hospital and accommodation for accompanying persons among the various costs of childhood cancer treatment.

Fly High! Gold Ribbon Scholarship System

A non-repayable grant-type scholarship supporting childhood cancer survivors who wish to advance to universities or vocational schools but face difficulty studying due to financial reasons.

GRN Single-Parent Household Support System

Supporting single-parent households that are financially impacted, such as losing income due to the difficulty of continuing employment while accompanying a child for treatment, or facing increased expenses from hospitalization.

Gold Ribbon Research Grant

Providing research grants to promote studies aimed at 'improving the cure rate of childhood cancer or improving the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors.'

In addition to the above, we provide various other forms of support, such as gifting knit hats to children with cancer and subsidizing activities like patient group camps.

▼You can watch a video on YouTube introducing childhood cancer, its challenges, and our foundation's initiatives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IRtmT_WT7U

[Inquiries regarding this matter]

Gold Ribbon Network Public Interest Incorporated Foundation

Contact: Nakata

TEL: 03-5944-9922 FAX: 03-5944-9923 E-mail: npo@goldribbon.jp

Website: https://www.goldribbon.jp/

Location: 2-21-8-204 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo