The My Child Matters Program for Fighting Paediatric Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Background and context: 20% of the children with cancer live in the high-income countries, where the survival rate is 80%, while 80% live in low- and middle-income countries, where the survival rate is <40%, and even lower in the poorest countries. Aim: In 2006 Sanofi Espoir Foundation launched the My Child Matters program, to give all the children with cancer, wherever they live, the same chance to have access to diagnosis and care. Strategy/Tactics: This program is based on public–private partnerships in the field of pediatric oncology in low- and middle-income countries. Program/Policy process: The program works with calls for projects, with 3-year-cycle grants founded by Sanofi Espoir Foundation. The first call for projects was launched in December 2005 in 10 countries, leading to 14 projects supported by the foundation. The last call for project was launched in 2015, the next one is expected at the end of 2018. The projects are various, according to the local needs, strengths and opportunities, and can focus on early diagnosis improvement, psychosocial support, treatment abandonment reduction, capacity building, cancer registries, development of palliative care and pain management or a holistic approach. They are selected by an international expert committee. The engineering involves the medical direction of Sanofi Espoir, a scientific overview in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a mentoring program with the commitment of various international experts and some training sessions for the team. Strong partnerships are established with UICC, SIOP, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alliance Mondiale Contre le Cancer (French branch of INCTR), Groupe Franco Africain d'Oncologie Pédiatrique and some local associations and foundations. Outcomes: 58 projects implemented in 42 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. 18 on-going projects; 75,000 children cared for; 20,000 healthcare professionals trained; ∼100 scientific articles related to the My Child Matters have been published. An ancillary call for projects, dedicated to the nurses in pediatric oncology, have been launched as well in 2015. What was learned: At the local level, the team leadership, the efficacy of the mentor–mentee duo, the commitment of the local government, the partnerships with local associations are decisive in succeeding and reaching a sustainable model. At the international level, reinforcing partnerships with NGO and other foundations increases the opportunities of collaborations for improving the life of children with cancer and contributing to reach the SDG 3.