By Andres F. Diaz
World Cancer Day is not just a day of awareness—it is a call to action. It is a reminder of our collective responsibility to advocate for those battling cancer and to push for policies that ensure equitable access to prevention, treatment, and research (1). This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the immense global burden of cancer and, more importantly, to act as catalysts for meaningful change.
As someone who has had the profound honor of working with pediatric cancer patients and their families, World Cancer Day is deeply personal to me. It represents not only an opportunity to amplify the voices of those affected but also a chance to fight for a future where no child has to suffer from a disease that we have the tools—and the moral obligation—to combat.
Progress in Pediatric Cancer Research and Care: A Foundation to Build Upon
Over the past several decades, remarkable progress has been made in pediatric oncology, transforming childhood cancer from a near-certain death sentence into a treatable condition for many. In high-income countries (HICs), survival rates for childhood cancers now exceed 80%, thanks to advancements in early diagnosis, targeted therapies, and comprehensive multidisciplinary care (2). This progress is a testament to the collaborative efforts of scientists, clinicians, advocacy groups, and philanthropic organizations working to improve pediatric cancer treatment outcomes.
One of the most significant developments has been the rise of precision medicine, which uses genetic and molecular profiling to tailor treatments to individual patients. Targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors for leukemia and neuroblastoma, have improved outcomes while reducing the toxic side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy (3). Immunotherapy—including CAR-T cell therapy—has revolutionized treatment for relapsed and refractory leukemia, providing a new lifeline for children who previously had few options (4). Advances in proton therapy have also allowed for more precise radiation delivery, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, which is especially crucial for young, developing bodies (5).
Leading institutions such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), and global pediatric cancer consortia have played a pivotal role in these advancements. These organizations conduct groundbreaking research, develop clinical trials, and create standardized treatment protocols that have led to significant survival gains across multiple pediatric malignancies (6). For instance, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)—once nearly universally fatal—now has survival rates exceeding 90% in HICs due to decades of research-driven treatment refinements (7).
Beyond research and treatment, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), advocacy groups, and philanthropic initiatives have been instrumental in supporting pediatric cancer care. Organizations such as the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF), CureSearch, and the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) have raised millions to fund research, assist families, and expand access to clinical trials (8). These efforts have helped close some gaps in funding and care, ensuring that more children have access to life-saving treatments.
Despite these successes, pediatric cancer research remains critically underfunded and underprioritized. While progress has been made, these gains are fragile and at risk of stagnation due to shifting policy priorities, budget constraints, and systemic inequities that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable children (9, 10). Pediatric cancer receives only a small fraction of the total oncology research funding, with the vast majority allocated to adult cancers (11). The “rare disease” label attached to childhood cancers has led to pharmaceutical disinterest, as the market for pediatric-specific cancer drugs is perceived as too small to be financially viable. As a result, many children are still treated with decades-old therapies designed for adults, leading to long-term health complications and reduced quality of life for survivors (12).
Additionally, research disparities exist not just between pediatric and adult cancers, but also within pediatric cancer itself. Certain malignancies, such as leukemia and neuroblastoma, receive substantially more research attention than rarer pediatric cancers, such as pediatric brain tumors and sarcomas, which still have poor survival outcomes (13). These gaps in funding and research are not just unfortunate—they have real consequences for the children and families affected.
The hard-won progress in pediatric oncology is now at a crossroads. Without increased funding, policy support, and sustained research momentum, the survival gains of the past decades could stall, leaving many children without better treatment options. This is why we must continue to advocate for increased investment in pediatric cancer research—not only to save lives today but to drive innovations that could transform cancer treatment for future generations.
The Global Burden of Pediatric Cancer and the CureAll Initiative: A Comprehensive Response
Pediatric cancer is a global equity issue, with more than 400,000 children diagnosed annually, most in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (14). While 80% of children in high-income countries (HICs) survive, survival rates in LMICs can be as low as 30% due to delayed diagnoses, financial barriers, and shortages of essential medicines and specialists (6).
Many children in LMICs are diagnosed too late, often after symptoms are misidentified as infections due to limited awareness and diagnostic tools (7). Even when diagnosed, families face immense financial and logistical burdens that make treatment unaffordable or inaccessible (8). Treatment abandonment—where families are forced to stop care due to costs or travel demands—remains a major issue, severely impacting survival rates (9).
A lack of essential medicines and trained specialists further exacerbates the crisis. Many hospitals struggle with chemotherapy shortages and treatment disruptions, forcing oncologists to modify protocols, which compromises outcomes (10). Moreover, pediatric oncologists are scarce, with some LMICs having fewer than one specialist per million children (11). Despite these challenges, local healthcare providers continue to lead life-saving efforts, developing innovative, resource-adapted treatment models. Their dedication underscores the urgent need for global investment, training programs, and sustainable collaborations to support pediatric oncology in LMICs (12).
Recognizing these challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer in 2018, aiming to increase survival rates in LMICs to 60% by 2030 (14). A central component is CureAll, a framework that strengthens healthcare infrastructure, treatment access, and workforce capacity through four key pillars:
- Centers of Excellence and Care Networks – Establishing regional pediatric cancer centers that improve referral systems and access to specialized care (15).
- Integration into Universal Health Coverage – Supporting government policies that reduce treatment costs, ensuring financial barriers do not prevent access to care (16).
- Ensuring Essential Medicines and Standardized Treatment – Addressing chemotherapy shortages, securing reliable medication supplies, and implementing evidence-based treatment guidelines (17).
- Monitoring and Research – Developing cancer registries and tracking treatment outcomes to improve quality assurance and healthcare planning (5).
Since its launch, over 20 countries have adopted CureAll strategies, with nations like Ghana, the Philippines, and Peru expanding oncology services and training more specialists (16). International collaborations with St. Jude Global, SIOP, and national pediatric networks have been critical in training oncologists, improving drug access, and advocating for policy reforms (17). Local pediatric oncologists and healthcare professionals remain at the forefront of these efforts, adapting global strategies to meet community needs. Sustained investment in their work is essential to ensuring long-term progress.
A Personal Commitment to the Cause
During my undergraduate years, I had the profound privilege of volunteering in the pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant unit in Orlando. The children and families I met there changed my life forever. Their strength in the face of relentless adversity, their hope despite uncertainty, and their resilience through suffering left an indelible mark on me. It was in those hospital rooms, among beeping monitors and quiet conversations, that I found my calling in pediatric oncology.
I remember a five-year-old girl who, despite undergoing grueling chemotherapy, would dance around the unit as if her spirit knew no limits. I recall the quiet fortitude of a mother who never left her son’s side, holding his hand through every painful procedure. These children taught me the meaning of courage, and their families showed me the boundless depth of love. They are the reason I fight for pediatric cancer care. They are the reason I believe no child should have to battle cancer alone.
Beyond these deeply personal experiences, my time in the unit also exposed me to the stark realities of pediatric oncology—the systemic barriers, the funding challenges, and the sheer inequities that leave too many children without access to the care they deserve. Even in a well-resourced hospital in the United States, I saw the limits of clinical trial availability, the financial hardships that families endured, and the constraints placed on physicians trying to provide the best possible care within an often underfunded field. If these challenges exist in one of the wealthiest nations in the world, imagine what they look like in countries with far fewer resources.
These experiences solidified my commitment to pursuing pediatric oncology—not just as a future physician, but as an advocate for research, funding, and equitable access to care. My patients have given me purpose, and to them, I owe my career and future.
A Call to Action on World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day must be more than a moment of awareness—it must be a catalyst for action. How we treat cancer, particularly pediatric cancer, is a reflection of who we are as a society. It is a measure of our commitment to equity, compassion, and the belief that no life is less valuable than another.
Pediatric cancer must be a priority in oncology research, funding, and policy. The survival gains we have made are the result of decades of scientific innovation and sustained investment—but this progress is fragile. Without continued support, breakthroughs in precision medicine, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies will stall, leaving countless children without access to life-saving treatments (5).
We must also address the stark disparities in cancer care. The fact that a child’s survival depends more on where they are born than on the biology of their disease is not just a medical crisis—it is a moral failure. The WHO’s CureAll Initiative provides a roadmap for closing this gap, but global cooperation and sustained funding are essential to making this vision a reality (14).
Beyond pediatric oncology, the way we approach cancer as a whole speaks to our values as a society. Cancer does not discriminate—it affects the young and the old, the rich and the poor. Yet, the resources we allocate, the policies we enact, and the research we fund define whether we choose to fight this disease with urgency and fairness or whether we allow systemic inequities to determine who lives and who does not.
This World Cancer Day, I urge you to take action in whatever way you can—by advocating for better healthcare policies, supporting cancer research, or standing with families affected by this disease.
Because in the end, how we confront cancer is about more than medicine. It is about who we are and the world we choose to build.
Resources and Organizations
Support pediatric cancer research and advocacy by engaging with these trusted organizations:
- Jude Children’s Research Hospital – St. Jude provides world-class treatment at no cost to families while leading groundbreaking research to find cures for pediatric cancers. You can support by donating, fundraising, or participating in awareness campaigns.
- Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) – PCRF funds cutting-edge research focused on improving survival rates and reducing treatment side effects for children with cancer. Get involved through donations, fundraising events, or corporate partnerships.
- CureSearch for Children’s Cancer – CureSearch advances scientific breakthroughs by funding research with the greatest potential to rapidly improve patient outcomes. You can help by donating, joining advocacy efforts, or participating in community events.
- American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) – ACCO supports children and families affected by cancer through education, advocacy, and legislative efforts to increase research funding. You can take action by donating, signing petitions, or spreading awareness.
- World Health Organization (WHO) Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer – WHO’s initiative works to increase global childhood cancer survival rates through improved healthcare access and policy changes. You can support efforts by advocating for global health initiatives and sharing their resources.
- International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) – SIOP unites pediatric oncology professionals worldwide to enhance cancer treatment and care for children. You can contribute by becoming a member, supporting global research, or attending educational events.
- Children’s Cancer Research Fund – This organization funds groundbreaking research to advance childhood cancer treatments while offering support programs for families. You can help by donating, participating in events, or starting your own fundraiser.
These are just a few of the many organizations dedicated to the fight against pediatric cancer. Numerous other local and global groups are making a difference, so consider exploring additional ways to get involved in your community.
References:
- World Cancer Day. World Cancer Day website. Accessed February 3, 2025. Available at: https://www.worldcancerday.org/
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). World Cancer Day. NCCN website. Accessed February 3, 2025. Available at: https://www.nccn.org/home/world-cancer-day
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). World Cancer Day. PAHO website. Accessed February 3, 2025. Available at: https://www.paho.org/en/world-cancer-day
- Kent EE, Breen N, Lewis DR, et al. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Cancer Survival. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022;114(4):580-590. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9203027/
- Adamson PC. Pediatric Cancer Research: Investing in a Future Without Childhood Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2023;41(15_suppl):10801. Available at: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/EDBK_320499
- Shulman LN, Mpunga T, Tapela N, et al. Global inequities in childhood cancer care and survival. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(1):e240138. Available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800607
- Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. Health Inequities and Pediatric Cancer Outcomes. Accessed February 3, 2025. Available at: https://pcrf-kids.org/2024/06/14/health-inequities-how-socioeconomic-factors-affect-outcomes-for-pediatric-cancer-patients/
- Global Health Now. Cancer Care Inequities Costing Children’s Lives. Published September 2024. Available at: https://globalhealthnow.org/2024-09/cancer-care-inequities-are-costing-kids-their-lives
- Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. A Heartbreaking Outcome: Funding for Childhood Cancer Research Cut from U.S. Spending Bill. Published December 31, 2024. Available at: https://pcrf-kids.org/2024/12/31/a-heartbreaking-outcome-funding-for-childhood-cancer-research-cut-from-u-s-spending-bill/
- Pediatric Cancer Community Devastated as Funds Removed from Spending Bill. Published 2024. Available at: https://www.newsweek.com/pediatric-cancer-community-devastated-funds-removed-spending-bill-2004417
- Federal Budget Cuts Threaten Pediatric Cancer Research. Accessed February 3, 2025. Available at: https://curesearch.org/federal-budget-cuts-threaten-pediatric-cancer-research/
- American Association for Cancer Research. Pediatric Cancer Research Funding Rescued by Congress. Published 2023. Available at: https://aacrjournals.org/cdnews/news/1988/Pediatric-Cancer-Research-Funding-Rescued-by
- Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Why Childhood Cancers Are Considered Too Rare to Get Research Funding. Accessed February 3, 2025. Available at: https://childrenscancer.org/why-childhood-cancers-are-considered-too-rare-to-get-research-funding/
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer – CureAll Initiative. Published 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/initiatives/the-global-initiative-for-childhood-cancer
- Vásquez L, Fuentes-Alabi S. Collaboration for success: the global initiative for childhood cancer in Latin America. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2023;47:e144. Available at: https://www.scielosp.org/article/rpsp/2023.v47/e144/
- Maradiegue E, Pascual C, Vasquez L. Strengthening public health policies for childhood cancer: Peru’s achievements through the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2023;47:e132. Available at: https://www.scielosp.org/article/rpsp/2023.v47/e132/en/
- Ortiz R, Vásquez L, Giri B. Developing and sustaining high-quality care for children with cancer: the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2024;47:e164. Available at: https://www.scielosp.org/article/rpsp/2023.v47/e164/en/
