SurNet: A Global Network for Childhood Cancer Survivors

Surviving childhood cancer is a major achievement. But it is only the start of a lifelong journey.

Survivors may face long-term health problems caused by their treatment. These effects can be physical, emotional, social, and economic. They can have an impact on survivors’ quality of life.

For these reasons, Childhood Cancer International (CCI) has created the Childhood Cancer Survivors' Global Network (SurNet). It is a worldwide hub for childhood cancer survivors.

Childhood cancer remains a major global health challenge, with about 400,000 children and adolescents developing cancer each year. Over the past few decades, survival rates have increased. There are now about 6 million childhood cancer survivors worldwide. This number will continue to grow.

The lifelong struggles of survivors

Many survivors lack access to the care, resources, and support they need to manage their unique health problems. This is especially true in low- and middle-income countries. In these regions, survival rates for childhood cancer remain as low as 30%.

Follow-up care is often unavailable. Most care programs are fragmented, vary by region, and lack funding. This leaves millions of survivors without the help they need.

Globally, there is no coordinated effort to address survivors’ needs. This leads to unequal outcomes and feelings of loneliness. We need a plan to help survivors.

It is time to bring attention to their journeys and focus on helping them thrive, not just survive. As the collective voice of the survivors, CCI is committed to this.

Creating a global network

CCI operates across 6 regions:

• CCI-Africa
• CCI-Asia
• CCI-Europe
• CCI-LATAM
• CCI-North America
• CCI-Oceania

While many local support structures for survivors exist, there are few at the regional and global levels—except in Latin America, Europe, and soon, Asia. So, we aim to create survivor networks in every region. These networks will connect local groups, identify challenges, and raise survivors’ voices worldwide.

A global network will act as a hub for survivor care. It will:

• Promote collaboration
• Share knowledge
• Use proven strategies, such as long-term care guidelines and mental health resources tailored to diverse needs

The Childhood Cancer Survivors' Global Network (SurNet) will focus on:

• Advocacy and awareness: Raising global attention to survivors’ needs
• Research and data sharing: Advancing evidence-based care
• Capacity building: Strengthening local organizations and health care systems
• Peer support and community building: Creating connections among survivors

Childhood cancer survivors and patient advocates, including me, serve on SurNet’s steering committee:

• Pablo Allard, survivor from Chile
• João de Bragança, bereaved parent from Portugal
• Sidney Chahonyo, survivor from Kenya
• Tiago Costa, survivor from Portugal
• Carlos Frías, survivor from Mexico
• Adri Ludick, patient advocate from South Africa
• Carmen Monge, survivor from Costa Rica
• Adekemi Oyewusi, survivor from Nigeria
• Preeti Phad, survivor from India
• Patrick Yip, survivor from Hong Kong

From surviving to thriving

Childhood cancer survivors represent a resilient yet vulnerable group with unique challenges. Supporting survivors needs an approach that addresses their physical, mental, and social health.

A global network dedicated to childhood cancer survivors will provide the support and resources they need to move from simply surviving to living lives filled with opportunity, dignity, and hope.

To join or learn more, email survivors@cci.care.