Year-End Message from the President
As this year draws to a close, I reflect not only as the President of Childhood Cancer International, but also as a father of a childhood cancer survivor. I have experienced firsthand the fear, uncertainty, and hope that families face, and I know how profoundly the work of our community can change lives. To our member organisations, partners, volunteers, professionals, survivors, and parents worldwide—thank you. Your courage, dedication, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do.
This year, our advocacy reached new heights. Together with SIOP, WHO, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and other key stakeholders, CCI played a pivotal role in the UN 4th High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases, ensuring the explicit inclusion of childhood cancer in the final Political Declaration, including a call to scale up interventions to achieve at least a 60 per cent global survival rate by 2030. This milestone reflects the power of a united global voice and brings hope to children and families everywhere.
Awareness is central to early detection and improved prognosis. Campaigns such as International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD), Childhood Cancer Survivor Week, Gold September, Light a Candle, and the We All Live It campaign reached millions worldwide, raising knowledge, reducing stigma, and amplifying the voices of children, survivors, and families. As a parent, I know that every early diagnosis can change a life—and awareness is often the first step toward that life-saving outcome.
Our programmes continue to grow and make tangible impact. Home Away from Home grants have provided critical support to families during treatment, and we are excited to double the programme to six grants in 2025. Enlace Asia and Enlace LatAm strengthened organisational capacity and programme delivery across multiple countries, and Coursera courses offered as part of our programmes expanded access to knowledge and skills for advocates and professionals globally. We were also proud to launch CCI’s new nutrition programme, addressing a critical need with strong potential for long-term and global impact.
Our work is strengthened by long-standing and new partnerships. We are grateful for our sponsors Foundation S, La Roche-Posay, and Servier, and welcome newly formed partners including Lions International. Together, we extend our reach, improve care, and support families where it matters most.
Across regions, member organisations became more engaged, communication improved, and regional voices were increasingly represented in advocacy and capacity-building. The CCI Annual Conference in Amsterdam reflected this momentum, with record participation, inspiring sessions, and strong engagement from survivors, families, professionals, and partners. The conference also saw the launch of the CCI President Award for Excellence, recognising outstanding contributions to childhood cancer care and advocacy. Successful regional conferences in Europe (Hungary), Latin America (Colombia), and Asia (Saudi Arabia) reinforced collaboration, learning, and leadership.
Behind all these achievements is an organisation that continues to grow in strength, credibility, and resilience. We have welcomed new members, strengthened our staff team, professionalised internal processes, and deepened partnerships. Throughout, our mission remains clear: to amplify the voices of children with cancer and their families worldwide.
As a parent, I know that hope is not abstract—it is built by action, collaboration, and care. Together, we save more children’s lives.
Thank you for being part of this community and for everything you do to make early detection, better care, and brighter futures possible for children everywhere.
With gratitude,
Rodney Wong
President, Childhood Cancer International