Every four minutes, somewhere in the world, a child is diagnosed with cancer. That adds up to about 400,000 children each year. But whether these children survive often depends not on the type of cancer they have, but on where they are born. In high-income countries, more than 80% of children with cancer live. In low- and middle-income countries, where 90% of cases occur, only one in five survive. The stark gap represents one of the most striking inequities in global health.

Behind each number is a child’s story of resilience, loss, or recovery. At a recent national childhood cancer stakeholder workshop in Egypt, four young survivors shared their journeys. They spoke about the pain and uncertainty of their diagnoses, the tireless efforts of doctors and families to keep them alive, and the peer support networks that gave them strength during their darkest moments.

Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, who inaugurated the meeting, listened as the survivors described how cancer changed their perception of life and deepened their appreciation for community and solidarity.

The workshop came as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2025, a reminder that while cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children, survival is possible with timely diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and strong health systems. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital launched the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), setting an ambitious goal: to raise the global survival rate to at least 60% by 2030 while improving the quality of life for young patients and their families.

Across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, progress has been slow but steady. Despite conflict, fragile health systems, and limited resources, eight countries have committed to prioritizing childhood cancer care. Pakistan, Morocco, Syria, and Libya are investing in workforce training to improve early diagnosis.

National pediatric oncology protocols are now in place in Pakistan and Jordan, with efforts underway in the occupied Palestinian territory and Syria. In Egypt, new insurance policies are being introduced to shield families from financial ruin caused by treatment costs.

Other initiatives underscore the region’s push toward stronger, more comprehensive cancer care. Morocco hosted the first regional workshop on pediatric palliative care, while Lebanon has established a Pediatric Cancer Committee that includes survivors, nurses, social workers, and WHO representatives. Together, these steps highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that goes beyond medicine alone.

One of the greatest obstacles to survival remains access to affordable and safe medicines. To close this gap, the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines was launched in 2021. By pooling procurement and consolidating demand, the platform lowers costs and ensures a steady supply of essential drugs. Jordan was the first country in the region to join in 2023 and is expecting its first batch of medicines soon.

Pakistan followed in 2024, after successfully standardizing childhood cancer care nationwide. WHO continues to support more countries in joining the platform, which could transform access across the region.

As the world marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, health leaders stress that while childhood cancer cannot be prevented, it can often be cured. The key lies in early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and resilient health systems capable of reaching every child in need.

For children battling cancer, survival should not be determined by geography. Whether in Cairo, Karachi, or Amman, every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and thrive.