Collaborative African Network for Childhood Cancer Care and Research (CANCaRe Africa)

Canada

CANCaRe Africa is a specialized network launched in 2014 with the mission to improve outcomes for children with cancer in resource-limited settings, including East African countries like Kenya and Uganda. Pediatric cancers, though relatively rare, have high cure rates with timely and appropriate treatment, but in Africa, survival remains dismally low due to late diagnosis, inadequate treatment infrastructure, and high rates of treatment abandonment. CANCaRe Africa brings together pediatric oncologists, nurses, hospitals, researchers, and policymakers to develop and implement standardized, resource-adapted treatment protocols for common childhood cancers. The network facilitates training, mentorship, data collection, and research focused on understanding barriers to care and effective interventions. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, CANCaRe Africa has helped improve diagnostic capabilities, treatment adherence, and supportive care services. Its work is critical in shifting pediatric oncology from fragmented care toward coordinated, evidence-based approaches that increase survival rates in East Africa.