We are proud to tell you about our upcoming international childhood cancer research workshop. This important workshop will bring together 40 of the world’s top researchers and clinicians to discuss how better to target treatments for children with cancer.

Childhood cancer is the biggest killer of children under 14 in the western world, yet it attracts only a fraction of the attention and support given to adult cancer.

The international childhood cancer research workshop ‘Integrating Precision Medicine into Clinical Practice for Children with Cancer’ will be held in Manchester on 8th and 9th June 2022. It comes less than two months after MPs listened to impassioned pleas in the House of Commons for a concerted effort to bring together the very best in research, training, and treatment, to really change the approach to childhood cancer once and for all. The debate was prompted by the death of another little girl who had just died from childhood cancer.

Youngsters like five-year-old Rosie, after whom Friends of Rosie is named, die because there has been little or no research to find a cure. Those who survive often endure long and painful treatments which leave them scarred for life.

Supported by several of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies, the workshop will be opened by the Director of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Professor Rob Bristow and the medical journal, Lancet Oncology, will be present on the day.

Collaboration is key

Says Dr Sally George, Workshop Co-Chair and Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at The Royal Marsden Hospital, “Collaboration is key when it comes to research. Only by coming together in this way to discuss new ideas and share findings internationally, across research institutions, will we succeed in transforming clinical care for children with cancer.”

The event will connect paediatric oncologists, developing clinical trials of new treatments, with scientists, developing new technologies and approaches.  They will identify how they can better work together to improve outcomes for children with cancer.

Friends of Rosie Chair, Felicity Goodey, adds, “This international gathering is exactly the sort of initiative MPs called for during their impassioned debate. There has been some progress over the years but too many children have little or no chance of survival and most are left with life changing effects of treatment.

“We are indebted to the Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board, Professor John Hickman, for suggesting this workshop and driving it forward. It has attracted the attention of some of the world’s biggest pharma. companies and we look forward to welcoming scientists and clinicians from around the world to Manchester.”

This workshop would not be possible without the vital support and donations from our supporters. Thank you for helping us to facilitate such an important gathering.

We will report on the workshop outcomes on our website.