As International Childhood Cancer Day (February 15) approaches, Imagine for Margo highlights the journey and commitment of Professor Véronique Minard-Colin, a leading figure in research and care in pediatric oncology.
Her daily fight, her expertise in immunotherapy, and her close relationship with our association illustrate the importance of collective mobilization to defeat these diseases.
“We must mobilize to cure more children, find new medicines, and treat them better with the least toxic treatments, allowing them to reach adulthood cured of their cancer and without long-term side effects.”
A life dedicated to fighting childhood cancers
Professor Véronique Minard-Colin is a pediatric onco-hematologist in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology at Gustave Roussy and head of the Immunotherapy Program.
A specialist in pediatric lymphomas and sarcomas, she coordinates international clinical trials to develop innovative immunotherapies, offering new hope to families and young patients.
Her approach focuses on using the body’s natural immune response to target and destroy tumor cells — a revolution in the treatment of childhood cancers.
A career inspired by vocation and innovation
From a very young age, Professor Minard-Colin was deeply moved by the encounter with illness and the vulnerability of children.
“Since I was very young, I have wanted to care for children because I find them remarkably courageous and honest.”
After studying medicine in Angers, she joined Gustave Roussy, where she dedicated her career to research and teaching.
Holding a PhD in immunology and after a research stay at Duke University (United States), she has received numerous awards for her work, including the Fondation Guillaumat-Piel Prize in 2025.
Today, she is the Deputy Director of Paris Kids Cancer, a center of excellence bringing together leading experts and institutions — including Imagine for Margo — to accelerate therapeutic innovation and cure cancers affecting children, adolescents, and young adults in the 21st century.
A strong bond with Imagine for Margo
“I met Margo and I met Patricia and her husband when Margo was first treated in the department. I was a young physician at the time, a clinical fellow, and I was struck by their energy, determination, and their ability to support Margo.”
After Margo’s passing and the creation of the association Imagine for Margo, Patricia began working closely with Professor Minard-Colin.
Together, they share a common vision: developing treatments that are more effective, less toxic, and better adapted to the specific characteristics of childhood cancers.
This is the goal we have been working toward hand in hand.
Professor Minard-Colin notably highlighted the major impact of immunotherapy — such as rituximab — in the treatment of pediatric lymphomas during the SIOPE Congress in 2025.
These advances, made possible thanks to the support of associations such as Imagine for Margo, demonstrate that research can transform the prognosis of diseases that were once very difficult to treat.
Why mobilize and support Imagine for Margo?
Every year in France, nearly 2,500 children are diagnosed with cancer.
Despite progress, 20% of cases still lack satisfactory therapeutic solutions, particularly in cases of relapse.
Research in pediatric oncology suffers from a chronic lack of funding because childhood cancers represent a limited market for the pharmaceutical industry.
February 15, International Childhood Cancer Day, is an opportunity to remind everyone that every donation and every action helps advance science and offer a future to sick children.
“Associations play a major role: guiding our research and development, pushing us to move faster, providing essential financial support for research, and helping us work with authorities, laboratories, and industry to access new medicines.”
https://youtu.be/7TtBg48wT3o?si=wkknYqeOZXtEh–l
How can you help fight childhood cancers?
By supporting Imagine for Margo, you directly contribute to the fight against childhood cancers.
With its main mission being to accelerate research, your commitment to the association helps fund major advances in pediatric oncology research.
You can:
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Make a donation for research: your donations help launch innovative programs and support researchers such as Professor Minard-Colin.
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Raise awareness: share Imagine for Margo’s news (testimonies, advances, and needs) on social media. Every share increases the visibility of the cause.
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Participate in events: solidarity raffle, Éclair Day, conferences, charity races… Imagine for Margo organizes many initiatives throughout the year that you can join.
Together, let’s make the ambition of curing all children, adolescents, and young adults a reality.
GO, FIGHT, WIN!