CCI Europe

Know the Basics: Building bridges - How does Palliative Care complete paediatric cancer care?
2025-09-29 17:00 - 18:30 (Europe/Vienna) | Online Webinar
register hereAbout the webinar:
This webinar aims to dispel any misconceptions surrounding paediatric palliative care and better clarify its role and how it can better support children with cancer and their families. Through a multi-disciplinary approach and presentation, and enough time for discussion with the participants, we aim to raise more awareness on what palliative care is and what benefits it can bring.
We will start with a short introduction and presentations on the topic, from the various experts, and will close with a panel discussion, and Q&A from the audience.
Our Speakers:

Georgia Kokkinou
Bereaved mother, CCI Europe Committee Member, and Vice president of Floga
Georgia is a bereaved mother and the Vice President of Floga, the largest parents’ association of children with cancer in Greece. Through Floga, she has gained significant experience in raising awareness for childhood cancer, collaborating with healthcare professionals to promote better care and treatment for children with cancer and advocating based on first-hand knowledge of the patients’ actual needs. In October 2023, she was elected as new European Member to the CCI Board. Within CCI Europe, Georgia participates in various projects under the Diagnosis, Treatment and Care Pillar.

Nathalie Hofer
Bereaved mother and founder of Ophelia’s Legacy
Nathalie Hofer is a curious soul who loves asking questions and reflecting deeply. A happy wife to Lukas and mom of three daughters—one of whom they lost to an ATRT brain tumor—she finds joy in baking, decorating their home, and embracing growth through self-reflection. For over 11 years, she has worked as an organizational transformation consultant in the professional services industry.

Eva Maria Tinner
Senior physician Pediatric Palliative Care University Children‘s Hospital Zurich, member of SIOPE Palliative Care Steering Committee and PanCare Board
Dr. Eva Maria Tinner is a paediatric oncologist and hematologist with extensive expertise in paediatric palliative care. Her commitment began during her fellowship in the UK in 2009 and was strengthened through specialized training in Switzerland. Since 2018 she has focused her clinical work on PPC, and since 2023 she has dedicated 50% of her time to the PPC team at University Children‘s Hospital Zurich. She is an active member of PPCN CH and serves on the Steering Committee of the SIOPE Palliative Care Working Group, helping to advance PPC at both national and international levels.
Ana Lacerda
Senior oncologist, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Chair of SIOPE Pediatric Palliative Care Working Group
Dr Lacerda is a pediatric oncologist working in Lisbon, Portugal, with a very special interest in the implementation and development of pediatric palliative care (PPC).
In 2005 she founded the first in-hospital PPC team in Portugal, at the Department of Paediatrics of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology Lisbon Centre / IPOLFG (which she chairs since June 2023). In 2013 she founded the PPC Taskforces at the Portuguese Association of Palliative Care and the Portuguese Pediatric Society. She is also a founding member of the Portuguese Observatory of Palliative Care, and has been working closely with the Portuguese Ministry of Health. She is also a member of the EAPC Children and Young People Reference Group, which she co-chaired 2019-21 and chaired 2022-23, and currently serves on the EAPC Board (2023-27).

Ulrike Leiss
Clinical Psychologist at the Medical University of Vienna
Dr. Ulrike Leiss is a Clinical Psychologist, specialised in the field of paediatric psycho-oncology and paediatric neuropsychology. She has been working at the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Unit of the Comprehensive Center for Paediatrics of the Medical University of Vienna since 2001, both in the field of inpatient psychosocial care and in (long-term) follow-up care. She has established an interdisciplinary psychosocial team there, which is active both clinically and scientifically as COPEgroup. In the context of international collaboration, she has been increasingly involved in the development and implementation of guidelines in recent years. Moreover, her research focus is in (long-term) follow-up care, interdisciplinary communication, neuropsychological outcome and treatment.
María Avilés
Nurse at Comprehensive Pediatric Palliative Care Unit at Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús Madrid
María Avilés is a nurse from Spain and a member of the SIOPE Nursing Group. Since completing her nursing studies, she has worked in various units in Spain and England.
In 2019, she joined the Comprehensive Pediatric Palliative Care Unit at Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús in Madrid, where she currently works as part of the homecare palliative care team.
She holds a Master of Science in Perinatal and Childhood Care and a PhD. In addition to her clinical practice, María is actively involved in research and teaching on pediatric palliative care. She is also an associate lecturer in the Nursing Department at Universidad Autónoma of Madrid.
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Know the Basics: What Are PROs and PROMs, and Why Do They Matter?
2025-10-27 17:00 - 18:30 (Europe/Vienna) | Online Webinar
register hereAbout the webinar:
This webinar explores the role of Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in clinical research and healthcare. Participants will gain insights into the scientific foundations of PROs/PROMs, their impact on clinical trials, and their relevance for improving patient care and quality of life. The session also highlights the importance of involving patient advocates in shaping meaningful healthcare outcomes.
Speakers:
Hannah Gsell
Childhood Cancer Survivor, CCI Europe, Chairwoman of Survivors Austria
Hannah is a psychologist, ALL-survivor, and currently the Chairwoman of the Austrian Childhood Cancer Survivors Organisation.Hannah works at CCI Europe as project manager and patient expert and as such is involved in several EU funded projects. She is also part of the psychosocial pillar of CCI Europe.

Anna Zettl
Childhood Cancer Survivor, CCI Europe
Anna is an evolutionary anthropologist by training and currently pursuing a degree in psychology. She is a survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and serves as a board member of the Austrian Childhood Cancer Survivors Organisation.At CCI-E, she works as a project coordinator and patient expert, contributing to various research activities, particularly in survivorship projects.

Marita Partanen
Pediatric neuropsychologist and research group leader at the Princess Máxima Center
Marita Partanen is a pediatric neuropsychologist and research group leader at the Princess Máxima Center in the Netherlands. The focus of her research is on the early identification and intervention of neuropsychological problems, using a combination of behavioral, therapeutic, and neuroimaging (MRI) techniques. She also serves as co-chair of the SIOP-Europe Quality of Survival group, where she leads a working group focused on aligning assessment methods in pediatric brain tumor trials.
Martha Grootenhuis, Prof.Dr.
Lead of the Psycho-Oncology Research Program at the Princess Máxima Center
Prof. Dr. Martha Grootenhuis is a leading expert in pediatric psycho-oncology with over three decades of experience. She currently leads the Psycho-Oncology Research Program at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology. She is internationally recognized for her pioneering work in developing and implementing Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in pediatric oncology in care. As the creator of the KLIK PROM portal and director of the PROM Core Facility, she has advanced the integration of PROMs into daily care and promoted their use in clinical trials to enhance patient-centered outcome assessment. Her methodological research addresses the reliability, interpretability, and clinical utility of PROMs.
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Know the Basics: From Brussels to the lab: How will the shift in the EU's policy agenda impact Research & Innovation?
2025-11-24 17:00 - 18:30 (Europe/Vienna) | Online Webinar
register hereAbout the webinar:
This webinar explores how the European Union (EU)’s emerging priorities will be influencing the direction and funding of research and innovation (R&I) policies across the region. As the EU responds to global challenges – from green and digital transitions to geopolitical shifts and economic resilience – its policy focus is also changing. A growing emphasis is being placed on building a robust R&I ecosystem that not only supports scientific advancement but also aims at accelerating the development of new treatments and ensuring that health innovations reach patients faster.
Speakers:
COMING SOON
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Communication about Late Effects
2026-01-28 17:00 - 18:30 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Online
About

We are excited to invite you to the first webinar of the YARN #QualityofLife webinar series!
In this webinar, we will explore how to communicate effectively about late effects. Our panel – including healthcare professionals, researchers, and people with lived experience – will share practical do’s and don’ts, tips for clear communication, and ways to advocate for the information and support you need.
This webinar is designed for people with lived experience, healthcare professionals, families and everyone interested in improving the conversations around late effects.
Speakers in this webinar will be Hannah Gsell (Patient Expert & Psychologist, Childhood Cancer International – Europe), Natasha Barbier (Childhood cancer survivor), Emma Potter (Nurse practitioner Long Term Follow Up, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London), Dr. med. PhD Maria Otth (Division of Oncology-Haematology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St Gallen, Switzerland) and Hanne Lie (Associate Professor in Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo).
Agenda:

Introduction: the YARN project and the YARN #QualityofLife webinar series
Spotlight presentation: Available resources for communication about late effects
Interactive panel discussion: Hear from people with lived experience, healthcare professionals, and researchers as they share their insights and answer your questions
Wrap up: Key take aways and final Q&A
Why Attend?

✅ Gain practical tips for clear and effective communication about late effects
✅ Discover useful resources to support people with lived experience and healthcare professionals
✅ Learn directly from people with lived experience and the experts who support them
See you at the webinar!

REGISTER HERE

International Childhood Cancer Day 2026
2026-02-26 15:30 - 17:00 (Europe/Vienna) | Online
The 2026 International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) policy event, “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan Implementation for Children and Adolescents: Looking Ahead – What remains to be done to improve access to care, research and sustainable survivorship programmes”, will take place as an online policy dialogue on Thursday, 26 February 2026, from 15:30 to 17:00 CET.
Hosted by MEP Vlad Voiculescu (Renew, RO), this annual event gathers policymakers, researchers, healthcare providers, and patient advocates to assess progress and shape future EU action on childhood and adolescent cancer. SIOP Europe and CCI Europe will share evidence and perspectives from paediatric oncology professionals, parents, and survivors.
This year’s edition will showcase the progress made under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), especially through its Spotlight on Childhood Cancer, and will also examine how these achievements can be translated into timely and sustainable delivery for children and adolescents up to and after 2030.
Register HereProgrammeThe event will support discussions on the European Parliament’s own-initiative report on the EBCP, currently under preparation. As the EBCP moves into its next implementation phase and future EU cancer policy initiatives are planned beyond 2025, the event emphasises that childhood cancer must remain a visible priority. Strong political support and practical measures are essential to ensure that all children and young people with cancer in Europe benefit from equally high standards of care, research, and survivorship services.
The discussion will focus on two core priority areas across the childhood cancer pathway:

Equal access to high-quality care and research, including access to specialised expertise, cross-border collaboration, and innovation for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer, regardless of where they live in Europe
Survivorship and psychosocial care, with a focus on long-term follow-up care and the sustainability of survivorship programmes for childhood cancer survivors and their families.

By bringing together policymakers and key stakeholders from across the childhood cancer community and beyond, the event aims to foster shared understanding and actionable policy directions. The goal is to ensure that progress achieved at EU level through the EBCP translates into lasting, equitable impact for all children and young people with cancer across Europe.
Register Here

From Recommendations to Real Life: Mental Health Care in CAYA Cancer Survivorship
2026-03-30 17:00 - 18:30 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Online
About

Join young survivors, clinicians, and psychosocial experts to discover recommendations for mental health care in CAYA cancer survivorship, and explore how to implement them in everyday practice.

REGISTER HERE

#QualityofLife Webinar Series: The next chapter - Living a healthy lifestyle after cancer
2026-05-27 17:00 - 18:30 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Online
About this webinar

Join us for the next YARN #QualityofLife webinar on 27 May 2026 at 17:00 CEST!
We are excited to invite you to the next webinar in the YARN #QualityofLife series on “Living a Healthy Lifestyle After Cancer”.
How can young people living with and beyond cancer be supported in adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle? How can the unique challenges they face be addressed and overcome?
Together, we will discuss:

Testimonies from young people with lived experience
Best practices for healthcare professionals
Practical strategies to support sustainable lifestyle changes

We look forward to welcoming people with lived experience, healthcare professionals, families and everyone interested in learning more about healthy lifestyle for people affected by cancer.
About the #QualityofLife Webinar Series

The YARN #QualityofLife Webinar Series brings together the expertise and activities of Work Package 2 and Work Package 3 of the project to create one shared space for learning, discussion, and support around life during and after cancer. Through expert insights and real-life experiences, the webinars explore topics like late effects, healthy living, mental well-being, and survivorship, helping young people affected by cancer feel informed, supported, and connected.
REGISTER HERE

Survivors' Week Webinar 2026
2026-06-27 16:00 - 17:30 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Online
Join us for a global Survivors’ Week webinar bringing together childhood cancer survivors, healthcare professionals, advocates and support networks to explore life beyond treatment.
This interactive session will focus on the realities of survivorship, including navigating education and employment, building independence, managing wellbeing, and advocating for long-term support and care. Through lived experience stories, expert perspectives and audience participation, the webinar will create space for honest discussion, shared learning and community connection.
Participants will hear from survivors and professionals from different regions of the world, take part in live polls and Q&A sessions, and explore practical strategies to support survivors in leading fulfilling and empowered lives after childhood cancer.
The webinar is co-organised by the SIOP Survivorship Network and Childhood Cancer International SurNet as part of Survivors Week 2026.
Simultaneous caption translation features will be available to support global participation.
REGISTER HERE

Gold September 2026: Exchange of Views on Childhood Cancer at the European Parliament
2026-09-02 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Vienna) | European Parliament & Online
About
September is the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an important opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by children and adolescents with cancer, survivors, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers. As part of Gold September 2026, CCI Europe and SIOP Europe will participate in an Exchange of Views hosted by the European Parliament‘s Committee on Public Health (SANT).
The Committee on Public Health (SANT) is responsible for shaping the European Parliament’s work on public health policy, including disease prevention, healthcare systems, access to medicines, and health research. An exchange of views within the Committee brings together Members of the European Parliament, experts, patient representatives, and key stakeholders to discuss policy priorities and inform future EU action.
This year’s discussion will focus on improving outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer by examining the full patient pathway – from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship – as well as the financial and policy frameworks needed to ensure equitable access to care and innovation across Europe.
Access the Live Stream PLEASE NOTE:
After clicking the link, you will see a list of available sessions.
Please select the SANT / Public Health Committee session to join the event.
ProgrammeThe European Parliament has created a dedicated page for this event. You can find more information below:
European Parliament Event PageGot questions? We’ve got answers!
Where can I find the link to follow the session?
The broadcasting link is not yet available on the website of the European Parliament. As soon as it is confirmed, we will update this webpage and share it with the community so you can follow the session live. No registration is needed.
Will the session be recorded if I can't watch it live?
Yes. The Exchange of Views will be recorded, so if you are unable to join at 15:00 CEST on 2 September, you will be able to watch it afterwards.
What language will the session be in? Will translation be available?
Speakers will present in English. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) may speak in English or their native language, depending on who is present. Interpretation is expected to be available in Danish, Czech, Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, French, and Dutch, though this is still to be confirmed closer to the date.
What is an 'exchange of views' at the European Parliament?
An “exchange of views” at the European Parliament is a formal parliamentary procedure where Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) hold structured discussions with invited officials, such as European Commissioners, national ministers, or external experts, to debate policies, share perspectives, and gather information. While no decisions or votes are taken during the meeting, these discussions help inform future parliamentary work. This Exchange of Views will focus on key priorities for improving outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer. It will bring together policymakers and representatives from the childhood cancer community, including CCI Europe, SIOP Europe, survivors, and families.
What makes this session more impactful than the usual policy events?
This Exchange of Views gives the community the full attention of the members of the Parliament (MEPs) responsible for health dossiers in a formal Parliament setting. It is a rare opportunity to bring the voices and asks of the childhood cancer community, which we have been advocating for over many years, directly into the political conversation. The event also carries the support of the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, which gives it particular weight and visibility for our community.
Why could this be interesting for non-EU members?
Childhood cancer knows no borders, and many of the policy gaps discussed – market failures in paediatric drug development, unequal access to care, survivorship support – are shared challenges beyond the EU. The recommendations and frameworks discussed can inform advocacy and policy conversations in other countries too, and the session offers a model for how patient and family voices can engage directly with legislators.
Who can watch the session?
Anyone can watch. The session is open to the public online, with no registration required.

Childhood Cancer International - Annual Conference 2026
2026-09-15 - 2026-09-18 | Henry B. González Convention Center, 900 E Market St, San Antonio, TX, 78205, United States
Join us in historic San Antonio for the 32nd CCI Annual International Conference! Hosted in San Antonio, Texas, the conference will unite people with lived experience of childhood cancer (including survivors, parents, and patient advocates), together with civil society organisations, healthcare professionals, and multidisciplinary care teams from across the globe. The meeting offers a unique space to connect, share perspectives, and foster partnerships that advance advocacy and improve outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer.

The conference will once again be organised in conjunction with SIOP as a part of the SIOP Congress.

Conference Dates
September 15-18, 2026
Important Dates

March 17, 2026 – Abstract Submission Deadline
June 23, 2026 – Early Registration Deadline
August 18, 2026 – Late Breaking Abstract Submission Deadline
September 15-18, 2026 – CCI Annual Conference 2025

Venue
Henry B. González Convention Center
Address: 900 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Website: http://www.sahbgcc.com/
​Language
The official language of the CCI Annual Conference is English.
Stipends
Every year Childhood Cancer International makes available a limited amount of funding to cover the participation of delegates from CCI member organisations. This is both from CCI general funds as well as funding offered by member organisations who have the desire to assist parents or survivors attend a conference by donating to the Parents Helping Parents Fund (PHP Fund) or through their existing twinning relationships. More information and how to apply for a stipend coming soon.
REGISTER HERE
