Dear SIOP Leaders,

Please take a few minutes to review last month’s activities, along with a few updates and opportunities. Our sincere thanks go to the 300+ SIOP leaders who contributed their time across Networks, Working Groups, Committees, and Continental Branches.

Highlights

  • Member engagement remains strong — 214 members attended at least one online education event in May 2026.
  • The early bird registration deadline for SIOP 2026 is June 23, 2026. Please register soon.
  • SIOP has published its 2025 Annual Report, reflecting a year of growth, global collaboration, advocacy achievements, and record engagement. Thank you to all who designed and delivered activities for SIOP members last year.
  • Congratulations to Prof. Kathy Pritchard-Jones, recipient of the 2026 SIOP Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to paediatric oncology and the Society.
  • Congratulations to Irene Cuervas (Spain), recipient of the 2026 Schweisguth Prize for the best scientific article by a trainee in paediatric oncology.

Updates from Across the Society

  • The GHN AYA Working Group launched the GHN AYA Care Award to recognise impactful contributions to AYA oncology care globally. Applications are due June 26.
  • Catherine Lam was elected GHN Chair, with her term beginning in September 2026.
  • The SIOP Nutrition Network hosted an educational webinar on “Use of Parenteral Nutrition in Paediatric Oncology” on 27 May 2026.
  • The SIOP Nursing Network celebrated International Nurses Day with a social media campaign and hosted a webinar on “The Use of a Biofeedback-Based Virtual Reality Game in Symptom Management in Pediatric Oncology” on 6 May 2026.
  • The SIOP Supportive Care Network hosted a webinar on “Achieving Complete Control of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting” on 21 May 2026.
  • SIOP participated in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, advocating for childhood cancer and engaging in discussions on global health priorities, universal health coverage, and access to medicines and care.
  • SIOP marked World No Tobacco Day 2026 by raising awareness of tobacco and nicotine product exposure among children and adolescents and calling for stronger prevention, education, and regulatory protections.
  • The Young SIOP Network held its Annual Business Meeting on 27 May 2026.
  • The Scientific Committee has finalised abstract allocation for SIOP 2026 in San Antonio. Full programme details and abstract notifications will follow shortly; scholarship and Young Investigator Award announcements are expected in mid-June.
  • The Global Mapping Committee released an updated global map now including centres from North America and Europe.

Updates from SIOP Continental Branches

SIOP Asia

  • SIOP Asia 2026 Congress in Mongolia received 360+ abstract submissions.
  • Nominations are open for the Advocacy Committee Representative for Asia; deadline is June 29, 2026.
  • Dr. Dalal Burshaid was appointed SIOP Asia Ambassador to Bahrain, and Dr. Peter Noun was appointed Ambassador for Lebanon. SIOP Asia thanks Dr. Roula Farah for her service.
  • The next round of SIOP Asia Meet-Ups will take place in July 2026; host offers are welcome.
  • Rising Star–Asia applications closed on May 25, 2026, and are currently under review.

SIOP Africa

  • BVGH and SIOP Africa hosted a series of educational webinars on childhood cancer.

SIOP North America and SLAOP

SIOP Oceania

  • Nominations for the Advocacy Committee Representative for Oceania are open; the deadline has been extended to June 15, 2026.

SIOP Europe

  • The SIOP Europe 2026 Congress was held in Glasgow from 4–7 May 2026, bringing together more than 1,300 participants.

Open SIOP Leadership Opportunities: Multiple leadership opportunities are available across SIOP. Thank you for helping to promote them within your networks.

Thank you to every SIOP leader who invested time and energy in developing activities for our members.