From October 20 to 23, 2025, Imagine for Margo took part in the annual SIOPE (European Society for Paediatric Oncology) Congress in Amsterdam, a major event for pediatric cancer research. Patricia Blanc, President of the association, and Yannick Tanguy, Head of Research and Mobilization, represented Imagine for Margo at this event, which brought together more than 3,000 participants: researchers, pediatric oncologists, patient associations, and families from around the world.
An international congress dedicated to children with cancer
The SIOPE Congress is the largest global gathering dedicated to pediatric oncology. For four days, experts and associations shared a common ambition: to cure more children, adolescents, and young adults affected by cancer, and to improve their outcomes. This international mobilization is essential, as 35,000 new cases of pediatric cancer are diagnosed each year in Europe.
Discussions with international representatives of parent associations, organized by Childhood Cancer International – Europe, made it possible to share best practices and identify patients’ priority needs. These strategic sessions strengthen coordination between associations to improve the overall care of sick children and their families.
Promising scientific advances supported by Imagine for Margo
The congress also provided an opportunity to attend presentations by researchers supported by Imagine for Margo, who shared their latest discoveries in the fight against pediatric cancers.
Professor François Doz from Institut Curie presented developments from the CoBIORB project, a fundamental research program aimed at better understanding and treating retinoblastoma in children. This malignant tumor of the retina, which mainly affects young children, requires innovative therapeutic approaches to preserve vision while eliminating the disease.
Professor Véronique Minard-Colin from Gustave Roussy presented the major impact of immunotherapy, particularly rituximab, in the treatment of pediatric lymphomas. These results demonstrate how therapeutic innovation can transform the prognosis of diseases that were once difficult to treat, offering new hope to families.
FIGHT KIDS CANCER: €43 million to accelerate European research
Imagine for Margo’s participation in the congress also provided an opportunity to meet with teams from Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij (KiKa), a Dutch partner involved in the FIGHT KIDS CANCER call for projects. Launched in 2020, this unprecedented European initiative has already raised €43 million dedicated to pediatric cancer research.
This significant funding accelerates the development of innovative treatments that are less toxic and more effective. Researchers at the congress highlighted the impact and effectiveness of this collective mobilization, which helps address the historic lack of funding in pediatric oncology. Unlike adult cancers, childhood cancers represent a small market that attracts limited pharmaceutical investment. The role of associations such as Imagine for Margo is therefore essential in advancing research.
Funding research: a vital necessity to save every child
While progress is real, the fight is far from over. Today in France, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease among children over the age of one. One in five diagnosed children will not survive, and among survivors, two out of three will suffer long-term side effects linked to current treatments, which are often too aggressive and not adapted to developing bodies.
Pediatric cancer research still suffers from a critical lack of funding. Developing targeted therapies that are less aggressive and more effective requires substantial and sustained investment. Every euro invested in research represents real hope for a cure, another chance to save a child, and an opportunity to improve quality of life after cancer.
Discussions during the SIOPE Congress highlighted the importance of maintaining and strengthening this collective mobilization. The discoveries presented demonstrate that research is progressing, that solutions exist, but that they require strong and sustainable financial support.
Go, Fight, Win: together to defeat pediatric cancers
Imagine for Margo’s participation in the 2025 SIOPE Congress reaffirms the association’s commitment alongside researchers, healthcare professionals, and families. These four days of international discussions help shape the association’s strategy and strengthen its determination to fund the most promising research projects.
Thanks to the generosity of its donors and the strength of its community mobilization, Imagine for Margo continues to play a leading role in the fight against childhood cancer. Every project funded, every discovery shared, and every strengthened collaboration brings us closer to the ultimate goal: curing all children with cancer.
Research is our most powerful weapon. Let’s continue the fight together.