This September, we're inviting healthcare professionals, survivors, families, advocates, organisations and supporters across Pakistan to join a coordinated, nationwide movement for childhood cancer awareness.
Every September marks Gold September, the awareness month for childhood cancer. PSPO is asking you to help us turn Pakistan gold, strengthening the association between the colour gold and the children and families it represents, one photo, one story and one community at a time.
Together, we can make gold impossible to ignore.
Three simple ways to take part: pick one, or do all three, this Gold September.
Upload your profile picture and add the official Gold September frame to your photo, then share it on social media using #GoGoldPakistan.
Get the Gold September frame →Share your own photos, videos and stories throughout September. Show us:
• you, your family, team, hospital, organisation or community wearing something gold (ribbon, tie, scarf, socks, clothing)
• your landmark illuminated in gold
• your local Gold September activities.
Tag us and use #GoGoldPakistan by September 23, 2026 and we'll include your submission during our Rolling Gold Day.
Accompany your post with a message that starts: "I'm going gold because…". Use our key messages for inspiration, or share something personal to you, so your followers understand why this campaign matters. If you're sharing by video, try to keep your message brief, under 20 seconds.
Write your story →
A photo gets attention. A reason is what people remember. Tell us, in a caption or a video under 20 seconds, why childhood cancer awareness matters to you.
Tag PSPO and use the campaign hashtags so we can find you and share your story with the community this September.
"I'm going gold because __________."
From wards to community halls, PSPO's members, patients and families have been turning their corner of Pakistan gold, one photo, one story, one ribbon at a time.
September was full. From walks in Karachi and Lahore to the congress floor in San Antonio, and from weekly e-learning with WHO to a national webinar, here is how PSPO and its community turned September gold.
Two solidarity walks, in Karachi and in Lahore, honoured childhood cancer survivors this Gold September.
Childhood cancer survivors, their families and healthcare professionals gathered at Bagh Ibne Qasim for an awareness walk on Saturday morning. The Child Aid Association (CAA) organised the Walk of Hope in partnership with PSPO, with Umeed also taking part, as part of Gold September.
The event highlighted the importance of timely diagnosis, treatment and continued support for childhood cancer patients.Dawn, 13 September 2026 · "Walk held to raise awareness about childhood cancer"
PSPO and the Department of Paediatric Haematology Oncology at The Children's Hospital, University of Child Health Sciences (UCHS), brought the Walk of Hope to Lahore, a solidarity walk in honour of childhood cancer survivors. Yellow balloon arches, caps and hand-made placards marked the day.
Dr Sadaf Altaf, Associate Professor of Paediatric Oncology at The Aga Khan University Hospital, wrote a feature on the survival gap facing children with cancer in Pakistan, and on what it takes to close it.
The chances of a child with low-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) being cured fall from 90% if treated in the US or Europe to 60-65% in Pakistan, and even further in Malawi or Nicaragua.
The article also describes how PSPO works to promote awareness, develop treatment and diagnostic standards, and advance research. Click the clipping to read it in full.
In the middle of Gold September, PSPO took Pakistan's voice for children with cancer to the global stage at the 58th Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP).
Advocating for children with cancer on a global stage.
PSPO members at SIOP 2026, San Antonio, Texas.
Throughout September, PSPO worked with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination on five weekly modules under the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancers. The theme: improving survival through timely recognition and referral. Each module ran from 3:00 to 4:00 PM PST.
Who it was for: General pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, ophthalmologists, medical officers and women medical officers, general and family physicians, allied health professionals and postgraduate trainees.
"Early Recognition, Better Outcomes: Advancing Childhood Cancer Care in Pakistan"
Held online on Zoom, the webinar brought together PSPO, the Pakistan Pediatric Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the University of Child Health Sciences and Umeed Parr to look at how earlier recognition and timely referral can improve outcomes for children with cancer in Pakistan. Seventy-seven participants were online.
Who it was for: Pediatricians, residents, medical officers, general physicians, hematologists, oncologists, nurses, allied health professionals, and parents.
| Time | Session / topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:05 AM | Welcome & opening remarks | Moderator, Dr Mahwish Faizan |
| 9:05 – 9:20 AM | PSPO's development & nationwide advancements in early diagnosis of childhood cancer | Dr. Tariq Ghafoor |
| 9:20 – 9:35 AM | Global partnerships in pediatric oncology: the St. Jude alliance & international collaboration | Dr. Asim Belgaumi |
| 9:35 – 9:45 AM | The role of advocacy: strengthening parent engagement worldwide | Ms Amal Jamot |
| 9:45 – 10:00 AM | Strengthening pediatric oncology in Pakistan: timely diagnosis & referral pathways | Prof. Masood Sadiq |
| 10:00 – 10:25 AM | Open Q&A | All speakers & moderator |
| 10:25 – 10:30 AM | Closing remarks & vote of thanks | Moderator |
From Prof. Masood Sadiq's talk on timely diagnosis and referral pathways: around 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer worldwide every year, about 90% of them in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2025). His conclusions:
The webinar on Zoom, with speakers and organisers on screen and 77 participants online.
During Gold September, PSPO waived the membership fee for student nurses and nurses who registered between 1 and 30 September 2026. The waiver is valid for one year.
Awareness messages and myth buster videos
Throughout Gold September, PSPO's consultants shared awareness messages and myth buster videos on social media. Follow our channels for the latest.
Straight from our consultants
Pediatric oncology consultants shared short awareness messages on childhood cancer with families and the wider community.
Short videos, clear answers
Myth buster videos set the record straight on common misconceptions about childhood cancer.