The application for a paediatric oncology European Reference Network (ERN PaedCan) submitted to the European Commission has been approved. The ERN links pre-existing reference centres inherent to the established European Clinical Trial Groups (ECTGs), which will contribute high-level diagnostic and medical expertise to provide cross-border best care to rare childhood cancer populations.

Together with the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE, www.siope.eu) the goal of the ERN PaedCan is to improve outcomes of childhood cancer by reducing the current inequalities in different member states by establishing mechanisms to facilitate movement of information, guidelines and knowledge rather than patients.  Over the past years, ExPO-r-Net partners managed to consolidate the preconditions for this large multinational network, which will represent a clear framework for healthcare providers across Europe.

The European Committee of Childhood Cancer International (CCI) – the organisation representing cancer parents, patients and survivors – has been working closely with project partners also in this regards, and will be also involved in the ERN PaedCan implementation.