El Garrahan will receive 100,000 euros a year from the Messi Foundation to investigate cancer in children

According to data from the Argentine Onchopediatric Registry (ROHA), about 1,300 children and adolescents under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer, the most common being leukemia and brain tumors.

In the Garrahan hospital treats nearly 35% of childhood cancer cases in the country, percentage that includes diagnostics.

By focusing on this set of diseases that is cancer, the Messi Foundation, in partnership with the Garrahan Foundation, has formalized its support for cancer research in children.

Thanks to the funds provided by the Messi Foundation, it is possible to promote collaborative projects between the Garrahan Hospital and the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona, ​​by granting scholarships and grants for translational research for a amount equivalent to 100,000 euros per year.

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children (Getty Images)

One of the key points for the beginning of this new cycle in Garrahan is the startup of the molecular pathology laboratory underway at the hospital, for which the Garrahan Foundation has committed the necessary contributions to condition the sector and be able to equip supplies or equipment needed to conduct investigations. This will, in the near future, provide new tools for the genomic diagnosis of brain tumors.

"The Foundation has committed its contributions with this new line defined by the Hospital and the Messi Foundation's collaboration adds to our initiative by strengthening and allowing us to grant more scholarships and to integrate trained specialists for the execution of these projects, "said Silvia Kbadab, general manager. from the Garrahan Foundation.

Jorge Messi, director of the Messi Foundation, was very pleased with the beginning of this new stage and said: "We are pleased to help Garrahan in such an important project because we know what it means for all children of the world. continue to work and collaborate with research because it is the future for better health. "

The work carried out will, in some programs, in collaboration with the Natalí Dafne Flexer Foundation, which reinforces the commitment to cancer research in children and in particular in the work on precision medicine led by the Dr. Guillermo Chantada.

Chantada, a leader in the field of research at Garrahan Hospital, said, "This relationship matures a relationship that has been growing for over 5 years and allows us to have decisive support for a high research. quality on cancer in the child having an impact on the patient ".

Carlos Kambourian, president of the Garrahan Hospital, defined this initiative as "a new opportunity for Garrahan where research will occupy a very important place". He also said: "Having the Garrahan Foundation and the Messi Foundation as the driving force behind this first kick is for us a confirmation that what we have decided to do is the right way."

More cancer research in children

Last year, it was learned that the hospital was part of a consortium of hospitals that will receive a grant of 4 million euros to develop pediatric oncology research.

Garrahan Hospital, through its hematology and oncology department, was selected by the Horizon 2020 program of the European Union to be part of a consortium of public pediatric centers working in translational research on pediatric cancer over the next five years. For this, the European Union grants a grant of 4 million euros.

Dr. Maria Sara Felice, Dr. Cristina Alonso and Dr. Jorge Rossi, from the Garrahan Hematology and Oncology Department, have been convened by European colleagues to join a consortium of public pediatric centers. having a recognized scientific career.

The aim is "to establish a multidisciplinary collaborative framework facilitating a constant exchange of knowledge, both on the biology of pediatric acute leukemia and on advanced methodologies for diagnosis and follow-up", stressed the professionals.

To be able to participate in the H2020 call, it was necessary to form a consortium made up of groups from the European Union (Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria and the Czech Republic) and three groups from South America (Argentina, Chile and Uruguay).

The team at Garrahan Hospital (part of the Argentine Society of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology) will lead the Latin American branch.

"The fact that this grant has been recognized is not only an honor, but also a scientific, multidisciplinary and collaborative challenge that will undoubtedly ensure better patient survival, with the aim of obtaining the results of the main diagnostic and diagnostic centers. treatment of the world, "concluded Pedro Zubizarreta, head of the hematology and oncology department at Garrahan Hospital.