Living with and after childhood cancer

On 14 August 2025, Childhood Cancer Switzerland launches the first digital information platform about life with and after childhood cancer. The aim of this new service, unique in Switzerland, is to provide comprehensive information to families with a child suffering from cancer, to support them in the best possible way during all phases of treatment and beyond, and to increase the awareness of those around them with regard to the topic of childhood cancer.

In Switzerland, around 350 children and adolescents are newly diagnosed with cancer every year. For them and their families, life changes overnight. In addition to the great concern for the child’s survival, affected parents are confronted with challenges that are very stressful and raise many questions whether in medical, psychosocial, professional, financial or legal terms. Furthermore, even after successful treatment, most survivors (former childhood cancer patients) suffer from long-term effects that can affect their quality of life and future prospects. In light of this, they need reliable information on various topics. The new Childhood Cancer Switzerland information platform provides answers to the most important questions and presents a wide range of support services – before, during and after therapy. The website will initially be available in German, with other languages to follow. Find out more at www.kinderkrebs-infoplattform.ch

Guidance and security through sound knowledge 
Until now, a central, digitalised point of contact that brings together the latest medical knowledge in a compact format, presents complex specialist information in an easily understandable way and provides an overview of the most important support services for life with and after childhood cancer has been lacking. With this new online service, the umbrella organisation is now closing a major gap in the provision of care: “We doctors do everything we can to cure sick children and teenagers. However, we also see first-hand how much the disease affects the everyday lives of families and survivors. The new Childhood Cancer Switzerland information platform supports those affected with reliable expertise and helpful testimonials. This provides guidance and security while conveying confidence and hope, even in difficult moments,” says Prof. Nicolas von der Weid (MD), President of Childhood Cancer Switzerland and Head of Oncology / Hematology at the University Children’s Hospital Basel (UKBB).

Development in collaboration with specialists and the people affected
“To ensure that our new service meets the needs of parents and survivors as comprehensively and thoroughly as possible, we worked closely with both specialists and those affected when developing the information platform. In addition to trustworthy medical information, we also address topics such as mental health, school, education, employment, rights and finances,” explains Elena Guarnaccia, CEO of Childhood Cancer Switzerland. She goes on to say that, “The new online information platform not only serves as a reliable source of information and exchange forum for parents, relatives and survivors, but also raises awareness among teachers, employers and the broader community, and is a valuable addition to the wide range of services already offered by our member organisations.”