Four families per week told that child has cancer
Cancer is now the leading cause of death of children in Ireland, according to the Childhood Cancer Foundation.
The foundation said that, each week, four families are told their child has the disease.
About one-third of all children´s cancers are leukaemias.
Today is International Childhood Cancer day. To mark it, 100 gold balloons will be released along with the launch of a new website.
The foundation's Gillian Smith said facilities were only starting to improve.
"The pressure on the healthcare system...affects all children and all adults, but it really affects children with cancer who really need the most top-class care because they are so sick, she said.
Irish Cancer Society information on cancer in children and teenagers.
Irish Cancer Society information on cancer in children and teenagers.
