To learn more about My Child Matters projects around the world, visit our Open Data Platform
Our ambition
Support the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of achieving a minimum survival rate of 60% for all children with cancer by 2030 by ensuring access to care, supporting the families and training healthcare professionals.
The challenge
Every three minutes, a child dies of cancer
The true number of children afflicted with cancer is unknown because most of them are undiagnosed. Each year, an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer.
In high-income countries, where comprehensive services are generally accessible, more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer recover from the illness. But in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), the recovery rate drops to less than 30%. For example, between 2015 and 2019, the average global 5-year childhood cancer survival rate ranged from less than 12% in Africa to 83% in North America.
Most childhood cancers can be cured with generic medicines and other forms of treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy. Therefore, the majority of children with cancer can be saved.
However, in low-income countries:
- Childhood cancer is often detected too late
- There is an insufficient number of well-trained health professionals
- Appropriate treatment is often unavailable or not affordable
- Pain management and palliative care are limited
- Childhood cancer is often not a health priority
One step forward in healthcare strengthening in Africa
The lack of pediatric oncologists in low- and middle-income countries is a significant concern, affecting care for children with cancer. Professor Laila Hessissen, President of Groupe Franco-Africain d’Oncologie Pédiatrique (GFAOP) emphasizes My Child Matters program's significance in training doctors and establishing dedicated services.
Our My Child Matters Program
To address inequality of survival rate according to geographies, My Child Matters program was launched in 2005 to support children with cancer and their families. The program aims to improve diagnosis, access to care, treatment adherence, and strengthen healthcare systems in low to middle income countries.
Our impact
Since 2005, My Child Matters has provided support to over 140,000 children with cancer and to over 45,000 healthcare professionals.
“Through partnerships with more than 30 organizations, Foundation S started over 50 new My Child Matters projects in its first year in Africa, Asia and Latin America” said Dr Isabelle Villadary, head of childhood cancer program.
The projects selected target three key pillars:
1. Children Care: Creating ultimate environment for children care by:
- Giving access to care
- Enhancing pain management and palliative care
2. Family Support: Ensuring the right conditions to support families by:
- Focusing on no treatment abandonment
3. Healthcare Strengthening: Support healthcare training by:
- Improving capacity building especially healthcare professional training
- Supporting early cancer diagnosis
My Child Matters Children Care Program in Paraguay with RENACI Fundación
Access to cancer care varies by country and healthcare system. Fundación Renaci in Paraguay aims for timely diagnosis, treatment, and a 0% desertion rate. Since 2009, RENACI efforts succeeded in the improvement of early detection, access to care and treatment for children with cancer, thanks to My Child Matters program support. From 2019 to 2021, 894 children were diagnosed, and 1384 professionals were trained.
Theory of change in practice within My Child Matters program
Building on My Child Matters legacy, we aim to:
- Identify system changing initiatives
- Empower local teams leading social or organizational innovations
- Leverage My Child Matters Program to the next level
- Support scaling up and cross fertilization between countries or grant recipients
Foundation S and GFAOP raising awareness on childhood cancer
In 2022, Foundation S and GFAOP held a pan-African conference on childhood cancer in Morocco, focusing on challenges, perspectives, and solutions. This event was attended by experts from Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Kingdom of Morocco, WHO Africa, International Society of Pediatric Oncology Africa (SIOP Africa), African health professionals as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps and media.
News
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Feb 22, 2023 • PRESS RELEASE
International Childhood Cancer Day: survival isn’t just about science
The number one reason for treatment abandonment is lack of accommodation during treatment, according to Alejandra Mendez, Vice-President of Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and one of the members of Foundation S - The Sanofi Collective’s expert committee on childhood cancer.
My Child Matters: a relentless fight against childhood cancer around the world
On International Childhood Cancer Day, let’s put under the spotlight My Child Matters, a program to fight childhood cancer in developing countries.
Foundation S fights childhood cancer in Asia
Le Dr Pornpun (Cherry) Sripornsawan, représentante asiatique du comité d'experts My Child Matters, nous explique comment ce programme historique ouvre de nouvelles voies pour la philanthropie dans la lutte contre le cancer de l’enfant.