Dear colleagues, members, and partners,
Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! I hope you had the opportunity to relax, recharge, and create meaningful memories with your loved ones over the holiday season. While many of us are still embracing new beginnings and New Year’s resolutions, at SIOP Europe, our promise for 2025 remains the same– a brighter future for all children and adolescents with cancer in Europe.
This moment is particularly special for me, as it marks my final message to you as President of SIOP Europe. I am honoured to hand over this role to my esteemed colleague, Prof. Uta Dirksen, and I warmly wish her a very successful and rewarding time as the SIOP Europe President.
I would also like to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to the outgoing Board members Katrin Scheinemann, Maria Otth, Pam Kearns, Rob Pieters, and Sabine Sarnacki for their remarkable dedication and hard work. Together, we have moved closer to our shared vision of improving care and outcomes for young people with cancer.
Prof. Carmelo Rizzari and Prof. Uta Dirksen during the 5th SIOP Europe Annual Meeting in Budapest on 15 May 2024.
Looking forward to 2025
Prof Uta Dirksen “I am honoured to step into this new role and extend my heartfelt thanks to my predecessor, Prof. Carmelo Rizzari, for his outstanding leadership and dedication. The entire SIOP Europe Board and staff join me in expressing our gratitude for his tireless efforts in advancing our mission.
Every new calendar year marks a time of new beginnings. I am particularly excited to welcome the newly elected SIOPE Board Members who will join our leadership in January 2025: Daniela Di Carlo, Jelena Lazic, Maja Beck, Mats Heyman, Monica Muraca and Andishe Attarbaschi as new NaPHOS Chair.
I am excited for the work ahead, as we remain focused on our shared goal: to cure more, cure better, and tackle inequalities.
This year is filled with promise, with numerous initiatives and key events already on the horizon. Among these are policy engagements, including the upcoming International Childhood Cancer Day event on 4th February at the European Parliament, educational activities, and updates from our dedicated working groups and projects. I encourage you to explore this newsletter for more details on these and other important initiatives planned for 2025.”
Stay tuned with SIOP Europe, and we hope to see many of you at our upcoming SIOPE Annual Meeting in Budapest.
Best wishes for a brilliant 2025,
Prof. Carmelo Rizzari
SIOP Europe Past President
Prof. Uta Dirksen
SIOP Europe President