On September 5, the first Friday of autumn, we stand in solidarity with children battling cancer. On this evening, the House of Histories of the National Museum of Lithuania will become a symbol of supportive hearts and light up in red – the color of the heart.

This color represents struggle and courage, life and strength – everything a child fighting illness needs every single day.

“With this symbolic gesture, we want to express our solidarity with children who are welcoming the beginning of autumn not at home or school, but in the hospital. This is a message to them and their loved ones: you are not alone. The entire community is with you, offering support and strength,” says Simona Širvydaitė-Šliupienė, director of the House of Histories, a division of the National Museum of Lithuania.

Public Support Helps Overcome Challenges

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, when the world draws attention to pediatric oncology, the challenges of treatment, and the importance of community support.

Globally, the number of children with oncological diseases remains stable, but currently there is a noticeable rise in malignant cases. Each year, around 100 children in Lithuania receive a cancer diagnosis.

“Scientific research and doctors’ experience show that children who feel strong support from loved ones and society recover more quickly and cope more easily with treatment challenges. Warm words, gestures of care, and the knowledge that others stand with them give children the emotional strength to fight and not lose hope. That is why such events are a meaningful contribution to children’s health,” says Justina Mėlinauskaitė, head of the support and charity foundation Mamų unija, which helps children with cancer and their families.

An Invitation to Pause and Reflect

According to Mėlinauskaitė, every year the first Friday of September is dedicated to those children who spend it not with family or friends thinking about a new school year, but in the hospital.

She notes that by lighting cities in red, we not only support sick children but also invite everyone to stop, reflect, and contribute to helping them. Every ray of this light sends encouragement, a warm thought, and a quiet promise not to forget.

The initiative is organized by the Mamų unija support and charity foundation, which has been helping children with cancer and their families for 17 years. The patron of the September events – Golden Ribbon Month, organized by Mamų unija – is H.E. Valdas Adamkus. The golden ribbon is the symbol of children with cancer.

More information about Golden Ribbon Month: www.mamuunija.lt