Twenty years ago, the My Child Matters (MCM) program was launched by the Sanofi Espoir Foundation (today Foundation S). This program aimed to improve access to treatment for children and their families in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Twenty years later, this program has supported more than 280,000 children in LMIC, and its impact has been one of the most significant globally in the field of paediatric oncology. The My Child Matters program is addressing practical issues experienced by clinicians, nurses and health care providers in their daily commitment to children with cancer. Working on the ground is the essence of this program that has been transformative around the globe. Projects granted over the last 20 years involved early diagnosis, capacity building, treatment abandonment, supportive care, palliative care, psychological support, cancer registries, and telemedicine, amongst others. A special celebration took place on October 20th, 2025, in Amsterdam, during the Annual Meeting of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology. This was a very emotional moment, during which we looked back at these two amazing decades, shared stories of MCM’s achievements and acknowledged the wonderful leadership of Dr. Anne Gagnepain and Dr. Isabelle Villadary, who made the MCM program such a unique initiative.
In this special issue, you are invited to discover the impact of My Child Matters in Colombia, Paraguay, Tanzania, Ukraine, Bolivia, and SubSaharan Africa. You will also learn about specific programs such as the My Child Matters Nursing Awards, The Teleo Initiative or the #CheckUpAYA, that addresses the needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer in South America. Last but not least is the Home Away from Home initiative, launched 2 years ago in collaboration with CCI, Childhood Cancer International, with two wonderful testimonies from Cecilia Quirogas and Alejandra Mendes. All these stories are moving and inspiring. They show that together, we can make a difference. Please enjoy the reading; some stories may bring tears to your eyes. If this is the case, the objective of this special issue of CancerWorld will be met!
Wishing you a peaceful Holiday Season,
Eric Bouffet, Chair of the My Child Matters Expert Committee
