In Malawi, children with cancer often arrive at hospital far too late. Families may not know the signs, health centres are far away, and symptoms are easily mistaken for common illnesses like TB or malnutrition. By the time a child is referred, their disease can already be advanced. 

That’s why Early Warning Signs and Symptoms (EWSS) training is so vital. It equips frontline healthcare workers with the knowledge to spot childhood cancer early — and act quickly. 

Meet Madalitso 

Madalitso, a clinical officer at Mulanje District Hospital in Malawi, attended an EWSS training delivered by World Child Cancer in April 2025. 

The training gave him confidence in recognising symptoms of childhood cancer. He explains: 

“Before the training, I often thought of TB when children presented with fever, cough, and weight loss. But my EWSS training taught me to consider persistent bone pain and unexplained fevers as possible signs of cancer. It changed how I look at children who come into my clinic.” 

Mimi’s story 

Soon after the Madalitso’s EWSS training, a 12-year-old girl named Mimi arrived at his clinic. She had a fever, night sweats, weight loss, and leg pain. At first glance, her symptoms looked like TB — something Madalitso would have assumed in the past. 

But this time, he noticed something different: persistent bone pain and swelling, symptoms that his EWSS training had taught him could be warning signs of cancer. Acting quickly, he referred Mimi for urgent testing. 

Mimi was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. and began lifesaving treatment. 

Without Madalitso’s training, her cancer could easily have gone unnoticed until it was too late. 

Thanks to EWSS training, Mimi’s life has changed course. And she is not the only one. Every healthcare worker trained can recognise cancer in dozens of children over the course of their career, multiplying the impact year after year. 

But training costs money. Each place costs £75 — and this week, thanks to generous match funding for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, your gift of £25 will be tripled to cover that cost. 

Join Us This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, you can help us reach more children like Shamila. Together, we can make sure every child with cancer has access to the care, and the comfort, they deserve.

Donate today and triple your impact!