Barncancerfonden

Progress and impact

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund makes a difference in several ways. In part through supporting long-term strategic research, in part through concrete assistance when a child and its family are struck with cancer. We also support those who have survived childhood cancer, we make a difference by conducting vital information drives and we carry out successful fundraisers. To ensure progress and genuine impact from our efforts, we continuously measure and evaluate our work.

Our credibility and our reputation are based on our ability to make progress and to create impact. At the same time, the childhood cancer field is one that requires long-term thinking due to its inherent complexity. This leads to certain challenges in defining exactly what progress in the research field results in.

Happily, we have many examples of activities that make a difference. Since we began co- funding the HOPE clinic at Karolinska University Hospital, early clinical pharmaceutical trials have got underway. This year’s investment in paediatric oncology nurses has resulted in the funding of more than 4,000 hours of training. Several of this year’s information drives had a great impact on the media, boosting public knowledge and awareness about childhood cancer. In addition, the year’s fundraising total, SEK 425 million, is incredible progress that improves our chances of combating childhood cancers.

Focus on long-term effects

In the nearly 40 years that the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund has existed, great progress has been made in research, treatments and other areas we support. Since the 1950s, survival rates of those diagnosed with childhood cancers have increased dramatically, from about 20 per cent to just over 80 per cent today. This highlights the long-term nature of our work. In order to make meaningful progress, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund invests in high-quality research, a strong research infrastructure, critical advice and support measures to the patients and their families, and heightened awareness in the community. The majority of these initiatives are not immediately reflected in survival rates, but we know that they make a difference.

A selection of the work we do to create progress and impact

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund creates big and small changes – all of them necessary to achieve our two major outcome targets: reducing mortality in childhood cancer and reducing late complications currently caused by the treatment or by the illness itself. The following section contains some examples.

Kids Cancer-Act Now

As a member of the Kids Cancer-Act Now consortium, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund can fund pharmaceutical trials to enhance survival rates among children with cancer.

Shortage of beds and nurses

For several years, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund has been building public opinion about the shortage of hospital beds and nurses. Our efforts have made people react and get involved, and have generated media interest as well.

HOPE (clinical trial unit)

Since 2016, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund has co-funded the Haematological Oncological Clinical Trials Unit (HOPE) for early clinical pharmaceutical trials.

Conversational therapy

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund offers conversational therapy with certified psychotherapists and psychologists via a hotline at S:t Lukas Sweden. Since January 2017, all the regional foundations throughout Sweden have access to conversational therapy.

Sibling support

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund funds sibling support coordinators, whose most important job is to support the siblings of children with cancer. Of the siblings involved, 71 per cent state that they have learned more about the illness and its consequences.

Family visits

We have arranged several visits to Ågrenska competence centre for families from all over Sweden who have a child diagnosed with cancer. All participants state that they have gained medical knowledge and an understanding of the psychological consequences of the diagnosis.

Publications

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund distributes publications on childhood cancer to spread awareness of the disease among the general public as well as those affected. Research shows that children with a cancer diagnosis and their families feel more secure the more information they have about their situation.

The “Maxa Livet“ project

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund’s initiative for adult survivors of childhood cancer aims to enhance their physical and mental well-being. The project includes a conference, a magazine and activities. Participants’ quality of life increased by 17 per cent within six months after taking part.

Training

Funded 4,650 training hours in paediatric oncology during 2017 for nurses, paediatric nurses and nurses’ aides. They gained greater assurance and competence in their profession, patients received improved care, participation in research projects has increased and more.

Child Supporters

A total of 12,000 new Child Supporters (monthly donors) in 2017.

Consulting nurses

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund funds nurse positions at every childhood cancer centre in the country, with the aim of supporting the families. The families feel more secure and receive guidance, and the family and friends of the child with cancer gain greater knowledge and understanding.

School materials

We developed an information pack entitled “Right to school support for pupils with cancer”. 89 per cent of users are happy with the material.

Media investments

Despite reduced media investments, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund is the non- profit organisation with the strongest willingness to donate and the greatest credibility in 2017.

Media visibility

Media relations aiming to raise awareness and get people involved in the fight against childhood cancer. We also bestow a journalism award to honour journalists who spotlight aspects of childhood cancer.

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund is reviewed by Swedish Fundraising Control, which makes sure that organisations with approved donations accounts spend at least 75% of their revenues on mission-related initiatives.

Donor Service: +46 20 90 20 90
Secretariat: +46 8 584 209 00
Street address: Hälsingegatan 49, Stockholm
E-mail: info@barncancerfonden.se
Corporate registration number: 802010-6566
Plusgiro: 90 20 90-0
Swish: 90 20 900
Questions & answers – visit our support forum

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund complies with the Swedish Fundraising Council’s (FRII) quality code for fundraising organisations. The purpose of the code is to increase transparency and openness in the sector, thereby strengthening confidence in organisations that comply with the code.