Manneken Pis dons paediatric oncologist costume to raise awareness about childhood cancer

Did you know that September is also known as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?  

Under the banner Gold September, this annual campaign highlights the reality faced by children and adolescents affected by cancer on a global and European scale.

In Europe, parents receive the devastating news that their child has cancer every 15 minutes. This is the stark reality behind the often-overlooked disease, which is why the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) has launched multiple initiatives.

This year, the campaign kicked off with the traditional dressing of the iconic statue Manneken Pis in the centre of Brussels on 8 September (pictured).

During Gold September, Manneken Pis is wearing a paediatric oncologist costume designed by Céline Van den Bossche, the fashion designer behind the label JANUE. The outfit symbolises health and unity in the fight against childhood cancer, and can be seen all year round at the Garderobe Manneken Pis Museum.

The activities dedicated to highlighting the issue are accompanied by a strong ongoing social media campaign, which focuses on awareness and visibility. They include a policy event at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The European Society for Paediatric Oncology, the only pan-European society representing all professionals  working in the paediatric oncology field, together with Childhood Cancer International Europe, invites the public to join the event “No Child Left Behind: Prioritising Childhood Cancer in the next EU Budget” on 23 September. 

Co-hosted and co-organised by MEP Vlad Voiculescu (Renew Europe, Romania) and MEP Romana Jerković (S&D, Croatia), it will spotlight the key role of EU support in guaranteeing that no child is left behind. The event also underlines why it is important to prioritise childhood cancer in the next EU Budget.

SIOPE invites everyone to honour children, adolescents and young adults with cancer, as well as their families, survivors, healthcare professionals and researchers during this impactful month. Together, we can create meaningful conversations and make an ever-lasting impact!