Ombudswoman Tena Šimonović Einwalter attended an event marking “Golden September”, the month dedicated to raising awareness of cancer in children and adolescents, on 23 September 2026. For the occasion, Zagreb’s fountains were illuminated with a golden ribbon, a symbol of support for children with cancer.

The event was jointly organised by the associations Jak kao Jakov, Krijesnica and Krin, and the Nora Šitum Foundation, to raise public awareness of the need to support children with cancer and their families. The gathering at the fountains carried the message “The right words at the right time: supporting children and families facing cancer”. It aimed to highlight the importance of timely, ongoing and considerate support from the community during and after treatment.

Addressing those gathered, the Ombudswoman expressed her support for children with cancer, their families and the healthcare professionals who care for them. She stressed that the state has a duty to ensure effective care for these children and to make sure that they and their families can access all the rights guaranteed to them.

Golden September has been marked for many years as an opportunity for the wider public to learn about the everyday lives of children with cancer and their families, both during and after treatment.