The EU-funded TREL project came to a successful conclusion with a final review meeting held virtually on 25 March with the EU Project Officer and an external EU auditor with expertise in paediatric oncology. The project aimed to improve the survival rate of children with solid tumours in Lithuania through research and education. This achievement is a significant step towards enhancing the research excellence and reputation of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos (VULSK) in the field of paediatric solid tumours. Throughout the project, VULSK collaborated and partnered with eight leading research institutions from across Europe.
We are pleased to report on the main achievements and results:
- 5 publications produced and published in various scientific journals.
- Opening of a dedicated late follow-up clinic at VULSK to improve the care of childhood cancer survivors. Special attention was given to fertility in collaboration with the Princess Maxima Centre (NL); this joint effort resulted in the creation of an onco-fertility care plan to raise awareness of infertility risks among survivors and their families.
- Implementation of the PanCare Survivorship Passport (SurPass) delivered to 4 patients.
- Over 30 patient cases discussed on the virtual tumour board, resulting in improved diagnosis.
- Over 35 secondments allowing VULSK staff to visit partner institutions and receive training in various areas of paediatric oncology, but also in research management and EU-funded project administration. The efforts made during the management training led to the submission of a follow-up proposal, which was recently approved by the European Commission. The name of the new project is SCARLET, which stands for SCAling up early and late effects Research in Lithuanian childhood cancer survivors through Education and Twinning.
- The Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas, the Lithuanian Presidential Award was conferred to Prof. Jelena Rascon, professor in paediatric oncology and haematology at Vilnius University and TREL Coordinator. Furthermore, Vilnius was elected the venue of the SIOPEN Annual General Meeting on September 18th – 20th, 2024.
SIOP Europe, Dissemination and Communication Work Package Lead of TREL would like to congratulate all TREL Partners for their great achievements and their continuous commitment and hard work over the last 3 Years.
