At the dawn of International Childhood Cancer Day, our President, Patricia Blanc, invited by Childhood Cancer International Europe and SIOPE (the European Society for Pediatric Oncology), participated, with many experts, in the “Launch of the manifesto of the European pediatric cancer community: Heal more, Heal better and Reduce inequalities” in the European Parliament, a few months before the next elections.
On this occasion, our President was able to speak about the urgency of putting in place incentives for the development of drugs dedicated to children:
“In pediatric oncology, drug development should be geared toward addressing the unmet medical needs of children and not relying solely on drugs developed for adults. Children are not miniature versions of adults; they deserve tailor-made treatments, adapted to their age and condition. There is an urgent need to prioritize and encourage the development of medicines specific to children in Europe. It is one of the main priorities for saving children’s lives, reducing long-term after-effects and ensuring a healthier future as adults. »
The launch of the manifesto at the European Parliament marks a crucial moment to catalyze change, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections, define concrete strategies and improve the lives of children and their families across Europe.
The call to action for MEPs will hopefully inspire them to support the policy changes, resource allocation and collaborative efforts needed to address the multiple challenges of pediatric cancers.
More information on the manifesto : https://siope.eu/activities/european-advocacy/european-elections-manifesto-2024
Pediatric cancer remains a significant public health problem in Europe, accounting for a considerable proportion of childhood mortality and contributing to long-term health problems for survivors. Despite the progress made, there is a need to coordinate efforts at European level to combat this deadly disease. The European Manifesto on Pediatric Oncology highlights critical areas that require particular attention, including the review of pharmaceutical legislation, the allocation of resources to research, the sustainability of the European Cancer Data Initiative the child, improving the quality of care, mental health and psychosocial care, as well as long-term care models for survivors, as well as the causes of illness, cancer and environmental aspects.
The discussion panel will focus on inequalities in childhood cancer in Europe in two parts: equal access to quality care and equal access to research and innovation. Additionally, results from the OCEAN project, which mapped the organization of care and research in Europe to provide an overview of pediatric cancer centers that provide care and research for children and adolescents suffering from cancer throughout Europe, will be highlighted.
The fight continues: GO, FIGHT, WIN!
