72 Children, One Reality: Cancer in Belize

The outpouring of public support for one child’s cancer battle has unleashed a wider national issue. Official figures show 72 children in Belize were diagnosed with cancer in the last five years. This diagnosis places immense emotional and financial strain on many families.

While public donations help, there is existing support. The Belize Cancer Society plays a major role in facilitating logistics, travel, and costs. “When a child is diagnosed with cancer it’s overwhelming for the family. That’s where we come in at the cancer center,” said Kim Simplis Barrow, president of the Belize Cancer Society.

“We provide information, and we help families navigate the health system; navigate how they’re gonna get from Belize to care. Almost immediately, there’s rarely a delay,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, technical advisor at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, says the government funds chemotherapy at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and has removed GST on such drugs.

A coalition of health providers now delivers some specialist chemotherapy in Belize, a change prompted by pandemic border closures. However, diagnosis and long-term care still require trips abroad.

A new paediatric cancer wing, supported by St. Jude’s Hospital, is planned for 2027 to localise comprehensive care.

“This project is fundamentally bringing childhood cancer care to Belize,” said Kim Simplis-Barrow of the Belize Cancer Society.