Collaboration for success: the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer in Latin America
Liliana Vásquez1, Soad Fuentes-Alabi1, Sara Benitez-Majano1
1Pan American Health Organization Washington, D.C. United States of America Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., United States of America.
Insights
Developing regional resources accelerates the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Multidisciplinary experts created materials to improve childhood cancer outcomes and healthcare quality.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatric Oncology
- Health Systems Strengthening
Background:
- The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) aims to improve global childhood cancer cure rates.
- Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) face challenges in pediatric cancer care access and quality.
- The CureAll framework guides efforts to enhance outcomes in the LAC region.
Abstract:
The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) aims to increase the cure rate for children with cancer globally by improving healthcare access and quality. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (St. Jude), and collaborators have joined efforts to improve outcomes of children with cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) using the CureAll framework. In this article, we describe the process of developing regional resources aimed at accelerating the GICC implementation in LAC. In March 2021, PAHO formed regional working groups to develop core projects aligned with CureAll pillars and enablers. Seven working groups emerged from regional dialogues: early detection, nursing, psychosocial, nutrition, supportive care, treatment abandonment, and palliative care. PAHO arranged regular online meetings under the mentorship and support of St. Jude regional/transversal programs and international mentors. Between April and December 2021, 202 multidisciplinary experts attended 43 online meetings to promote the dialogue between stakeholders to improve childhood cancer outcomes. Fourteen technical outputs were produced: four regional snapshots, four technical documents, two virtual courses, one set of epidemiological country profiles, one educational content series for parents/caregivers, and two communication campaigns. The ongoing dialogue and commitment of PAHO, St. Jude, LAC working committees, and international collaborators are essential foundations to successfully accelerate GICC implementation. This is achievable through the development of materials of regional and global relevance. Further research and evaluation are needed to determine the impact of these strategies and resources on childhood cancer outcomes in LAC and other regions.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment Resistant Cancers
International Nursing Organizations II
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
International Nursing Organizations I
ICN member organizations work to advance the field of nursing and healthcare via policies, partnerships, lobbying, professional...
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...


