Camp Quality hosts special event at Parliament House to raise awareness

Australian children’s cancer charity Camp Quality will host a special event at Parliament House today, Monday 10 February with the aim of emphasising the importance of providing comprehensive cancer education to all young Australians.

The latest research shows over 700 children aged under 14 are diagnosed with cancer every year, and far greater numbers are impacted by the diagnosis of a loved one, with the Cancer Council reporting that 1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed by the age of 85.

Research conducted by KPMG revealed Camp Quality’s Cancer Education Program saved Australians $4.6 million dollars in mental health treatment costs over a two year period.

The event will feature a puppet show designed to dispel common cancer myths and support the mental health and well-being of affected children and their communities. Children living with cancer often face stigma and bullying, with some even having misconceptions, such as the belief that cancer is contagious – a perspective held by a staggering three quarters of Australian school children. 

Dispelling these common misconceptions, Camp Australia CEO Deborah Thomas said, is crucial to building resilience and better long-term outcomes for individuals and families, along with supporting the mental health and well-being of affected children and communities.

“Living with  cancer is traumatising enough, but for young children, whether it is their own diagnosis or a family member’s, they often face unfair stigmas from others who don’t understand what they’re going through,” Ms Thomas added. 

“Bullying due to visible symptoms, and misconceptions like the belief that cancer is contagious, can greatly amplify their trauma.”

Camp Quality’s Cancer Education Program is seeking to address this issue by bringing joy, fun, and importantly, education about cancer to young audiences. The program takes the form of a puppet show, visiting schools around the country to build inclusive communities for all children, whether they are dealing with their own diagnosis or that of a sibling, parent, or carer. 

A key focus for the program is ensuring it reaches regional and remote communities, where people often struggle to access the cancer support services they need. 

The program is supported by a suite of educational resources aligned with the Australian Curriculum, Early Learning Framework, and state-based curriculums, and is designed to ensure that the important conversations sparked by the puppet shows continue long after the performance is over.

“It’s been proven that better early education can improve mental health and reduce bullying and absenteeism among children with cancer, and those with a parent or carer affected by cancer,” Ms Thomas said.

“While we sadly can’t eliminate cancer from these children’s lives, making sure their friends and classmates know how to act appropriately and support them through hard times is absolutely essential.” 

More information about the Cancer Education Program can be found here.