Leukaemia is the most common form of childhood cancer
MARBELLA, 30th MAY 2010
22nd Anniversary Summer Ball Leukaemia is a cancer affecting blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. Without effective treatment it has a devastating effect in children and is rapidly fatal. About one third of all childhood cancers are leukaemias. At greatest risk are children under the age of five years. Incidence in this age group has increased by more than fifty per cent in the last fifty years. We don’t know why. Fifty years ago these children would almost certainly have died within months of diagnosis. Today, thanks to tremendous advances in medical care and treatment, four out of five affected children survive. Treatment consists of combinations of powerful drugs, developed and refined over recent decades, which are used to destroy the leukaemia cells and bring the disease under control. Some children will also require
radiotherapy, a stem cell transplant or both. These treatments are remarkably effective and survival rates continue to climb as treatments develop still further. Yet there is growing evidence that these lifesaving treatments are having serious effects on the long-term health and wellbeing of those children who pull through. With your help, CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA is investing vital funds in research into causes and treatments as well as welfare projects to help children and families affected by this devastating disease. For more information please visit
Fighting Britain’s biggest childhood cancer Registered Charity No. 298405. Inaugurated in 1988 by Diana, Princess of Wales in memory of Jean and Paul
www.leukaemia.org