In the Republika Srpska, about 30 children under the age of 18 fall ill with malignant diseases annually, and the chances of cure are greater if the disease is detected at an early stage, said Milan Berić from the Association of Parents of Children with Malignant Diseases “Iskra”.
Berić stated that this is the data of the University Clinical Center of the Republika Srpska.
“Cancer is curable in most cases when it is detected in time, and the younger the child, the greater the chances of cure,” Berić told reporters in Doboj, where the national campaign to raise awareness about cancer in children and adolescents “Golden September” officially began today.
He said that during September, various activities are aimed at pointing out the problems faced by children suffering from malignant diseases and their families, and that the golden ribbon is a symbol of this campaign.
Berić announced that on Friday, September 8, the campaign will be implemented in Banja Luka with numerous contents that will last for several days, and after that in East Sarajevo.
A doctor at the Doboj Health Center, Marina Jotić Ivanović, said that for the third year in a row, they support the work of “Spark” by distributing their promotional materials outdoors and in the clinics of the Pediatric Service.
“We want to raise the awareness of citizens about the number of children with cancer, what kind of journey they and their parents go through during diagnosis, treatment, but also after returning home to their community, because even after treatment they need support,” Ivanović pointed out.
Zaga Josipović from Striježevica, whose daughter was diagnosed with a tumor on the brain and spinal cord at the age of five, which had already manifested itself, points out that the support meant a lot to her during the fight for her child’s recovery.
“The tumor was diagnosed in Belgrade, and she was operated in Banja Luka. She can’t walk, talk, or swallow. Back to Belgrade, where a `PEG’ was implanted, then radiation. She managed to get through it all,” Josipović said.
She said that the worst is over, that the fight is still going on, and that she is happy to share her experiences with others.
The campaign to raise awareness about cancer in children and adolescents “Golden September” is held in the National Heroes’ Park in Doboj, where promotional materials and brochures are distributed to Doboj residents.
