The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will recognize February 16 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Day as part of its corporate social responsibility in keeping with its tradition of harnessing the reach and popularity of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to have a good influence on society.
Around 400,000 children worldwide are expected to be diagnosed with cancer each year; in Pakistan, this number is thought to be closer to 90,000. The majority of childhood cancers are treatable with over-the-counter drugs and other methods of treatment, such as radiotherapy and surgery.
The PCB has designated the Karachi Kings vs. Islamabad United match at the National Bank Cricket Arena as a way to raise awareness about the incidence of childhood cancer in the nation and the importance of being alert to early indications and intervention.
The PCB also expresses sympathy for the victims and supports the families as they travel through difficult times. The two captains will give them signed team shirts at the game, which has been invited to by the board for two pediatric cancer patients and five young survivors with their families.
The players will wear golden hats and ribbons, and the following events will also take place that day:
- Cancer awareness messages are displayed on a large screen LED parameter boards.
- Commentators announcing cancer awareness messages while sporting golden ribbons
- Gold-branded stompers
The PCB will commemorate this day during the PSL for the fifth consecutive year—since 2019—this season.
