6 Surprising Facts about Childhood Cancer Care at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)
- 4,500+ visits with children in clinic & inpatient active treatment (2024–2025)
- 3X – The paediatric oncology program has tripled in size over the last 20 years
- 800+ children served in clinic & as inpatients
- 70+ children newly diagnosed each year
- 150 children are in active treatment right now
- 350 survivors supported annually through the aftercare program
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by the Numbers
Every September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month reminds us of the children and families facing an extremely difficult diagnosis — and the incredible progress that’s being made in paediatric oncology. At Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), children are receiving specialized care from diagnosis through treatment, into aftercare and survivorship.
Behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a team of dedicated experts. And behind every breakthrough, there are Children’s Health Foundation (CHF) donors.
Our Impact in 2024–2025
This past year demonstrates the scope and growth of the paediatric oncology program:
- 4,500+ visits with children in clinic and inpatient active treatment — not including those who have graduated into aftercare.
- The program has tripled in size over the past 20 years, meeting the growing needs of our region.
- In 2024–2025 alone, more than 800 children were served through the cancer clinic and inpatient care.
New Diagnoses & Active Treatment
Each year, Children’s Hospital’s expert team meets families at one of the hardest moments of their lives:
- 70 children are newly diagnosed with cancer each year
- 150 more children are currently on active treatment, receiving everything from chemotherapy and immunotherapy to advanced supportive care.
Every diagnosis is unique, and every child needs specialized, child-sized equipment and care to feel safe and supported. Unlike adult hospitals where “one size fits all,” paediatric oncology requires a full range of tools, from tiny neonatal chemotherapy needles to innovative technologies like the RxCrush, which makes oral chemo safer for children. These vital pieces of equipment are funded thanks to Children’s Health Foundation donors.
Life After Cancer: Survivorship and Aftercare
A cancer journey doesn’t end when treatment stops. Survivorship brings new challenges — and the aftercare team is with children and families every step of the way.
- Each year, 350 childhood cancer survivors receive care through the aftercare program.
- The care team helps families navigate long-term side effects, school reintegration, and the transition into adult care.
This ongoing support ensures that children not only survive but thrive — with the dignity, normalcy, and opportunities every child deserves.
Donor Impact: Hope Lives Here
The scale of this work would not be possible without community generosity. Donors fuel:
- Research into new treatments like immunotherapy paired with chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- Specialized paediatric equipment that keeps children safe and comfortable.
- Education for clinical teams to stay at the forefront of paediatric oncology care.
- Support programs like Child Life, Art Therapy, and Therapeutic Clowns that help children feel like children again.
Together, this is how hope lives — through the generosity of donors, the expertise of hospital teams, and the resilience of children and families.
September is a time to raise awareness, but it’s also a call to act.
YOU can make a direct impact on a child’s life today.
👉 Donate now to support childhood cancer care at Children’s Hospital: childhealth.ca/donate
Discover more about the paediatric oncology program at Children’s Hospital and learn how we are advancing childhood cancer care throughout Southwestern Ontario and beyond.
Together, we can ensure that hope lives for every child facing cancer.
