Italy launches “Settembre d’Oro” campaign for pediatric cancer awareness

The “Settembre d’Oro” (Golden September) campaign has returned to Italy to raise awareness for pediatric cancer and support children and adolescents affected by the disease. Promoted by the global network Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and implemented in Italy by the Federation of Italian Associations of Parents and Survivors of Pediatric Oncohematology (FIAGOP), the 2026 theme is “Accendi d’Oro, Accendi la Speranza” (Light up Gold, Light up Hope).

In Italy, approximately 2,500 new cases of pediatric cancer are reported annually. While medical progress allows for an 80% cure rate, roughly 20% of patients—about 500 children and adolescents each year—still face illnesses for which no definitive cure exists. This includes aggressive rare tumors like osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, where new first-line drugs have not been available for decades.

As part of the initiative, major monuments and historic buildings across Italy will be illuminated with golden light between September 21 and 28. In Taranto, the Aragonese Castle will be lit in gold on specific dates in September through an initiative requested by the AGITO association and made possible by the Italian Navy. The campaign aims to prioritize pediatric research on political and institutional agendas to ensure better treatment prospects for all young patients.