St. Jude affirms commitment to global childhood health at United Nations General Assembly

IIn 2018, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health leaders came together at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to call for action on childhood cancer with the launch of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC). It committed to increasing the global survival of children with cancer to 60% by 2030 while decreasing suffering, and differences in treatment and survival that exist between low- and high-resourced countries.

Now, seven years after that commitment – and with more than 80 countries now engaged in GICC – St. Jude again joined the global health community at the recent 80th session of the UNGA to call for a recommitment to the effort while advocating for those suffering with other catastrophic diseases, including a new call for action on sickle cell disease.

UNGA side event spotlights collaboration and commitment

St. Jude joined WHO, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Zamin Foundation in hosting a side event during the 4th High-Level Meeting of the UNGA on Non-Communicable Diseases on September 24. The session encouraged global leaders to celebrate progress of, and reaffirm commitment to, the goals of the GICC and build momentum for efforts to increase survival of children born with sickle cell disease to 90% by age 5 from an estimated 50% currently.

Among those in attendance at the session titled “A Global Movement to Improve Survival and Reduce Suffering for Children with Cancer and Other Catastrophic Diseases” were representatives of dozens of Heads of States, including eight first ladies and more than 20 ministers of health. These dignitaries and government leaders joined representatives from other governments and global agencies who are essential partners in the work of St. Jude Global to increase worldwide survival for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases such as sickle cell disease.

“Launching the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer seven years ago was an impossible goal but because of these partnerships with WHO and the leadership of governments, we’re making the impossible possible,” said James R. Downing, MD, President and CEO of St. Jude. “We want every country that is part of the United Nations to make this commitment to children. It’s only by us working together that we can achieve this goal to improve survival for all children.”

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, WHO director-general, referenced the vital partnerships between St. Jude and WHO that are elevating childhood cancer care globally. Of note is the role of St. Jude as the first and only WHO Collaborating Centre for Childhood Cancer and its leadership in creating both GICC and the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines in partnership with WHO.

“The kind of partnerships that WHO creates with St. Jude are amazing,” Ghebreyesus said. “Every child deserves a fighting chance, no matter what country they are in. Thousands of children are already benefiting. The collaboration between WHO and St. Jude is a cornerstone of that progress, and we’re committed to building on it.”

Keeping patients at the heart of global health

Three participants with lived experiences – survivors of childhood cancer and sickle cell disease, and a parent of a child with cancer – grounded the event and reminded attendees of the foundation for why these initiatives exist. 

“Today, I stand before you alone, but I bring in my heart all the dreams of those who didn’t come true. In my heart, I am here for their dreams and stand up for them, too,” said Samira Idrisova, a survivor of childhood cancer from Uzbekistan. “I plead, do not give up on us. Do not let us stand alone. Make it so that every child with cancer has a chance. Give the children of the whole world a life for their dreams.”

The side event was part of the week’s larger focus on non-communicable diseases, which included drafting a political declaration that — for the first time — includes language on addressing children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, such as sickle cell disease. The new inclusion of sickle cell disease gives hope to the estimated 7 million globally living with the condition, many of whom suffer without knowing why. 

“Many are dying without ever knowing they have sickle cell disease,” Isaac Odame, MD, of the World Sickle Cell Coalition said at an earlier side event which brought together global leaders of that community to discuss what is needed to create a unified call to action and approach. “Without diagnosis and treatment, mortality remains high, and the interventions are simple. But it’s not just mortality. If you make it past age 5, you have constant misery. This is treatable but largely ignored. We need prioritization.”

Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD, St. Jude Global director and executive vice president, recognized the growing commitment of many governments to achieve the goals of GICC while calling for the same action to be focused on sickle cell disease.

“The target of raising survival for children with cancer to 60% by 2030 is very ambitious but is achievable if we all act together. That means bold national leadership, cross-border collaboration and investment in innovation,” he said. “We must also face another urgent challenge, the global disparities for children with sickle cell disease that continues to claim the lives of young children. Yet, just as with cancer, sustainable and lifesaving strategies are possible. This gathering marks the beginning of a new global focus, so let’s use this moment to turn commitment to action.”