In responding to World Cancer Campaign launched by the UICC (International Union against Cancer), the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA) conducted a publicity campaign with the theme of “Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s World” on Feb. 4, 2008. This activity brought together healthcare professionals, child cancer patients, cancer survivors, patients’ family members, and the media in China. Professor Xi-Shan Hao, the President of the CACA and the Board of Director of the UICC, together with Dr. Guang-Chao Zhang, the General Secretary of CACA, both delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Professor Hao and Dr. Zhang also presented gifts to each child patient. Meanwhile, they received a picture drawn by a cancer survivor. During the activity, patients and doctors worked together and drew a picture of a bright future. The event was concluded with the singing of “Heart the gratitude” by all participants.

　　In the speech, Dr. Zhang announced that the incidence of cancer among children under the age of 15 was on the rise around the world. More and more parents were paying closer attention to this problem. To keep the cancer incidence in a low level, it is critical to provide kids with access to early diagnosis and to keep them away from carcinogenic factors such as smoking.

　　Professor Hao mentioned in his speech that one of the aims of the Cancer Day was to engage parents and other caregivers to provide a safe and healthy environment for children. Smoking is a serious social problem in China. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Thus, healthcare professionals and patients’ parents shall set examples to limit and eventually quit smoking. In addition, it was equally important to educate children the harms of smoking and to raise their consciousness to stay away from smoking and any smoking environment.