SIOP North America, which includes Canadian and United States-based members, has 193 members, 49 from Canada and 144 from the U.S.

Of these, 37 members are new in 2015.

Disciplines represented include pediatric oncology (137), nursing (10), pathology (4), pharmacy (2), psychology (8), radiation oncology (11), surgery (6), translational research (4), and epidemiology/biostatistics (8).

The membership does not meet on a regular basis, but there have been gatherings at the London and Toronto meetings.

Members of SIOP North America have been engaged in activities across SIOP, including in PODC, the Nursing Committee and the Young Investigators group.

SIOP North America membership has focused its work over the past years looking at two specific issues: how best to train physicians with interest in global oncology and how to engage North American physicians in meaningful efforts to improve outcomes for children with cancer globally.

To help address above mentioned issues, we have partnered with ASPHO to develop a Special Interest Group in global pediatric hematology/oncology. The group met for the first time at the ASPHO 2015 meeting in May. There was significant enthusiasm for increasing the support for pediatric oncologists/hematologists who want to be involved in global health – providing opportunities for exchange with international physicians, joint research and educational opportunities.

SIOP North America September 2015