St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has announced that they have been redesignated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Childhood Cancer. The new designation recognizes the work of St. Jude to support WHO in integrating childhood cancer into national cancer control plans; developing innovative tools and platforms for the management, research, and education of childhood cancer; and in strengthening childhood cancer control.
Since its launch in 2018, St. Jude has supported and collaborated with WHO to improve outcomes in pediatric cancers globally. The redesignation creates further momentum for future efforts between WHO and St. Jude toward childhood cancer progress.
“The work of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Childhood Cancer at St. Jude is rooted in the belief that where a child lives should never determine whether they survive cancer,” said James R. Downing, MD, President and CEO of St. Jude. “We are working alongside institutions, governments and health-care providers globally to expand access to quality cancer care and build stronger health systems to create a future in which more children have the opportunity to survive and thrive.”
Currently, there are over 800 WHO collaborating centers in more than 80 countries worldwide, but St. Jude is the only collaborating center focused on pediatric cancers. St. Jude has contributed to national policy for childhood cancers to strengthen the global pediatric cancer landscape.
“Together with our St. Jude Global Alliance, which now encompasses more than 400 institutions and foundations across more than 90 countries, we have created a powerful implementation network that fuels the support we offer to WHO as an academic institution, capable of transforming the science and systems influencing pediatric cancer outcomes on a global scale,” said Catherine Lam, MD, MPH, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Childhood Cancer and a faculty clinician-scientist in the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine at St. Jude.
The ongoing partnership between St. Jude and WHO led to the 2018 launch of the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) and the 2025 launch of the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. These efforts, alongside the continuing work of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Childhood Cancer, are helping to propel the global community’s vision to achieve at least 60% survival for children with cancer by 2030 while reducing suffering and shaping a healthier future for all.
“The goal of this partnership is to dramatically increase global pediatric cancer survival in these countries, where survival is lower than 30%,” said Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD, Executive Vice President, Chair of the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, and Director of St. Jude Global. “As St. Jude Global continues to grow and evolve, so does the scope of work and collaboration with WHO. Looking ahead, we are broadening our vision to incorporate palliative care and address other catastrophic pediatric diseases, ensuring that children and families everywhere have access not only to treatment, but also to compassionate, comprehensive care throughout every stage of their journey.”
“We recognize the great value of collaborating centres. As trusted technical partners on the ground, they not only provide technical support for countries, but also strengthen health systems through the sharing of knowledge, best practices and tools, to work together with WHO to advance the objectives of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer,” said Roberta Ortiz, MD, Medical Officer at WHO Headquarters, serving as focal point for the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.
“St. Jude expertise in national cancer control planning helps ensure that the unique needs of children, adolescents and young adults are meaningfully integrated into health systems and policy frameworks worldwide,” Dr. Lam added. “Coupled with decades of leadership in education, innovation, and front-line clinical breakthroughs, we are working hand in hand with collaborators around the world to expand access to high-quality, lifesaving care for every child.”
