Conference is one of the biggest for childhood cancer research

Phil Brace, from The Little Princess Trust, has just returned from the sixth annual meeting of SIOPE Europe. Here he explains what he has taken away from being among some of the leading figures facing the key issues for children and adolescents with cancer.

I have just returned from the beautiful city of Budapest where I had the privilege of attending the SIOPe Annual Meeting, a vital gathering of Europe’s childhood cancer research and clinical community.

As a funder dedicated to improving outcomes for children with cancer, being there was not just important — it was essential.

Walking into the conference, I was immediately struck by the passion and focus of the researchers, clinicians, and advocates working to advance not only cures, but kinder treatments for children.

The sessions covered groundbreaking developments — from precision medicine approaches to survivorship care — and underscored how much progress is being made through collaboration, data sharing, and innovation.

As someone who funds this work, hearing directly from academics and clinicians is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake — and what’s possible.

Behind every graph, trial result, or data point is a child, a family, and a story of resilience. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, and opportunities like SIOPe help ensure that funding decisions are informed by the latest science and real-world clinical needs.

It was also heartening to meet new colleagues and reconnect with long-standing partners in the field. These personal relationships matter. They deepen trust, foster collaboration, and ultimately accelerate progress.

I left Budapest feeling both inspired and reassured that the global community is moving steadily toward more effective and compassionate care for children with cancer.

I look forward to sharing my experience with my colleagues at The Little Princess Trust and our key collaborative partners.

We will continue to educate ourselves with our expert advisers, researchers, clinicians, families, and fellow funders until every child has access to safer, better treatments and the chance to thrive.