IAEA and St. Jude launch global initiative to improve childhood cancer care in LMICs

Addis Ababa, July 2, 2025 (FMC) — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have launched a new global initiative to address critical gaps in childhood cancer care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), building on the IAEA’s flagship Rays of Hope program.

The new effort, titled Rays of Hope for Childhood Cancer, seeks to expand access to diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy services for children, particularly in countries where specialized pediatric care remains limited. The initiative will prioritize the development of technical tools and guidance materials—referred to as Global Goods—and support their implementation through targeted events and training programs.

According to Ms. May Abdel-Wahab, Director of the Human Health Division at the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, the initiative is part of the Agency’s growing commitment to reduce disparities in cancer care and improve outcomes for young patients in resource-constrained settings.

Since its launch in 2022, the broader Rays of Hope program has mobilized more than €90 million from governments and development partners, supporting the expansion of radiation medicine services for thousands of patients in LMICs, it has been learned.

It was indicated that the new pediatric-focused phase, developed in partnership with St. Jude, is designed to respond to the specific technical and training needs of health professionals treating childhood cancers.

The agreement establishing the new initiative was signed on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Ms. May said.

Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Executive Vice President of St. Jude and Director of St. Jude Global, said that strengthening national capacities in pediatric radiotherapy is essential to improving survival rates and quality of life.

“This effort with the IAEA will help close the gap in specialized care for children with cancer, where access to diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy can make a life-saving difference,” he noted.

The initiative underscores the complexity of pediatric cancer treatment, which requires high levels of clinical expertise, specialized infrastructure, and sustained collaboration. Through joint training and the dissemination of Global Goods, the IAEA and St. Jude aim to build long-term capacity in LMICs and ensure that more children receive timely, effective care.