Bringing Hope, Healing, and Support to Lesotho’s Young Warriors.
No child should fight cancer alone. In Lesotho, we stand beside our children and their families, providing the holistic care, resources, and emotional strength they need to thrive.
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Who We Are: The Childhood Cancer Organisation (CCO) is a dedicated NGO providing emotional, social, and financial support for children battling cancer and life-threatening blood disorders.
Our History: Established in 2019 under the Societies Act of 1966, CCO works through a formal partnership with the Ministry of Health to bridge critical gaps in care.
Our Mission: To provide holistic care for children and their families while empowering communities with the knowledge and resilience to face every challenge.
Our Values:
Compassion: Putting the child and family first.
Hope: Keeping courage alive through every milestone.
Collaboration: Uniting healthcare, donors, and communities.
Integrity: Maintaining transparency and accountability in all we do.
Resilience: Building strength together.
Get Involved
Supporting CCO in our mission to provide care and support to children with cancer comes in many forms. We welcome your support! Find out how you can get involved with CCO.
Get To Know Us
CCO has been keeping more than hope alive in Lesotho since 2019. Find out more about who we are, what we offer, where we are based and how we do what we do.
Cancer Info
Education and awareness around cancer is the first step to early diagnosis and treatment. Find out more about signs, symptoms and types of childhood cancers.
Awareness: The St. Siluan Early Warning Signs
Seek
Seek medical help early for persistent, ongoing symptoms.
Eye
Look for a white spot in the eye, a new squint, sudden blindness, or a bulging eyeball.
Lump
Check for lumps on the stomach, pelvis, head, neck, limbs, or glands.
Unexplained
Watch for unexplained fever (over 2 weeks), weight loss, fatigue, or easy bruising.
Aching
Pay attention to aching bones, joints, back, or bones that break easily.
Neurological
Note changes in walking, balance, speech, or persistent headaches with vomiting.
The Power of Early Detection: 70–85% of childhood cancers are curable if detected early.
Our Reach: We are currently walking the journey with 53 brave children in Lesotho.
The Battle: Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer in Lesotho, followed by brain tumors and lymphomas.
Honoring Our Young Warriors
Every year on the 15th of February, the Childhood Cancer Organisation (CCO) joins the global community to observe International Childhood Cancer Day. This is a day to honor the extraordinary bravery of the 53 Young Warriors currently in our care across Lesotho and to celebrate the resilience of the survivors who have walked this path before them.
Our Programs & Work
Logistical Support
We provide essential transport and lunch packages for children traveling for treatment (often to Bloemfontein, South Africa) to ensure no treatment is missed.
Psychosocial Care
Our team always makes sure to celebrate milestones and birthdays, reminding our young warriors that they are truly loved, seen, and appreciated .
Survivor Mentorship
Our survivors, who have walked this difficult path themselves, work closely with our team to share a profound message of hope with newly diagnosed families.
Education
By championing the St. Siluan Early Warning Signs, we provide the tools necessary to recognize symptoms quickly and take immediate action.
Meet the Heart of Our Care
Matsepo Ntho
Chairperson
Mampho Tsupane
Executive Founder
Rethabile Morake
Program Manager
Charles Plaatjies
Treasurer
Our trusted partners
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1. What is childhood cancer, and how is it different from adult cancer?
Childhood cancer is a disease of the body’s cells that develops in growing tissues like blood, bone marrow, and kidneys. Unlike adult cancers, childhood cancer is not lifestyle-related (it is not caused by smoking, diet, or environment) and often responds much better to treatment because children’s bodies have a higher capacity for healing.
2. Is childhood cancer curable?
Yes. With early detection and specialized medical care, 70–85% of childhood cancers are curable. Our mission at CCO is to bridge the gap between diagnosis and survival so that every "Young Warrior" in Lesotho has the chance to thrive.
3. What are the "St. Siluan" Early Warning Signs?
The St. Siluan signs are a life-saving checklist to help you spot potential symptoms. They include:
S – Seek medical help for persistent symptoms.
I – Eye changes (white spots or new squints).
L – Lumps or unexplained swellings.
U – Unexplained fever, weight loss, or bruising.
A – Aching bones or joints.
N – Neurological signs (changes in balance or speech).
4. Is childhood cancer contagious?
No. Childhood cancer is not a "catchable" disease. It is safe and encouraged to hug, play with, and support children undergoing treatment. It is also not caused by "bad luck" or "punishment"—it is a biological medical condition.
5. Does CCO provide medical treatment?
CCO does not provide medical treatment directly. Instead, we work through a formal MOU with the Ministry of Health to support the child’s medical journey. We focus on holistic care, providing the logistical, emotional, and financial support families need to access specialized oncology services.
6. How does CCO support families traveling for treatment?
Many children in Lesotho require specialized care at centers in Bloemfontein, South Africa. CCO provides essential transport and lunch packages for these trips to ensure that no child misses a life-saving appointment due to financial barriers.
7. Who is eligible for support from CCO?
We support children under the age of 16 in Lesotho who have been diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders. Currently, we are walking the journey with 53 brave children and their families.
8. How can I refer a child to CCO?
If a child shows persistent warning signs, they should first visit their local clinic or doctor. Once a potential case is identified, the medical team will follow the referral pathway to specialized care. Parents or health workers can contact CCO directly to begin receiving logistical and emotional support during this transition.
9. Why is early detection so important?
Early detection is the single most important factor in survival. When cancer is caught in its early stages, it is less likely to have spread, making treatment more effective and less invasive. Our outreach campaigns aim to move children from "late-stage" diagnosis to "early-stage" healing.
10. How can I help Lesotho’s Young Warriors?
There are three main ways to join our mission:
Donate: Funds go directly to transport, nutritious meals, and emotional care.
Partner: We welcome corporate and institutional collaborations.
Volunteer: Share your professional skills or your voice to spread awareness in your community.
"Bringing hope, one child at a time".
At CCO, we are committed to nurturing the hope and well-being of Lesotho’s Young Warriors. We are honored to be a part of their path to recovery. Stay connected with us for vital early detection tips, survivor stories, and updates on how we are bringing hope, one child at a time.
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