On average, 124 children are diagnosed with malignant tumors in Georgia every year. Because there are no standard methods to screen for pediatric cancer, early detection of the disease is difficult and raising public awareness around symptoms is crucial.
With support from the USAID Civil Society Engagement Program, the parents’ organization Childhood Cancers and Superheroes is carrying out a campaign to improve care for pediatric cancer patients in Georgia, support parents, and raise general awareness about childhood cancer.
The organization provides parents of pediatric cancer patients with information about available state funding, programs, and procedures; monitors the existing state program on funding of children’s treatment abroad and ongoing work to establish modern treatment facilities in Georgia; collects information on pediatric cancer diagnoses in Georgia; and studies gaps in the existing support offered to pediatric cancer patients and their families.
As part of the project’s efforts to support families affected by cancer diagnoses, the organization offers parents therapy sessions and gives children with cancer the opportunity to process their experiences through art-therapy classes. The organization also facilitates parents’ club meetings, which are held to create a network of support and coordinate advocacy efforts.
To increase public awareness about childhood cancers, the organization prepares diverse information materials like posters, videos, and brochures and circulates them on social media. You can find more information about their work on their Facebook page.
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