International Childhood Cancer Day
Feb 14, 2026Ahead of International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) on 15.02.2026, we at Connect to Heal wanted to do something simple: spend time with the children who matter most to us.
With the help of Tickles & Tales (IG: @aartikathpalia), we organised a small, fun evening for children affected by cancer and their parents, a puppet show, jokes, and that rare thing in a hospital setting: laughter.
Why emotional support is part of care
When people talk about childhood cancer, the conversation naturally goes to treatment, doctors, medicines, hospital visits, and medical outcomes. That’s important. But there’s another part that quietly runs in the background every single day, the mental load.
Families are managing fear, uncertainty, long days, financial pressure, travel, side effects, and the emotional task of staying strong for their child, often while trying to keep life running for everyone else at home. That stress doesn’t always show on the outside, but it’s very real.
Emotional support doesn’t replace medical care. It supports it. When parents feel less alone and children feel even small moments of normal, it helps them stay steady through a tough, exhausting journey.
The need is rising in Karnataka
This matters even more because childhood cancer cases are steadily rising in Karnataka. A report in The Hindu notes that the State’s estimated new cancer cases among children and adolescents in 2025 is 1,882, up from 1,801 in 2023 and 1,828 in 2024.
In Bengaluru alone, the estimated childhood cancer burden for 2025 is 349 cases, showing a gradual upward trend.
Hope deserves a louder microphone
Alongside the hard truths, there’s also hope: with early detection and uninterrupted treatment, more than 70% of childhood cancers are curable.
That’s a powerful reminder of why awareness, timely action, and consistent support matter so much.
What we’re trying to do
At Connect to Heal, we try to hold space for the emotional side of this journey, for children and for parents. Sometimes it’s a program. Sometimes it’s a conversation. This puppet show was one of those small things that isn’t small at all.
Want to be part of it?
If you’d like to learn more about what we do or volunteer, email us at [email protected].
