Steering Committee.

Steering Committee

João de Bragança (Portugal) lost in 2001 his 7-year-old daughter Madalena to a diffuse pontine glioma. He is the immediate past-president of Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and still a Board member. He is also the president of Acreditar, the Portuguese association of children with cancer. João is a mechanical engineer with a master’s degree in literature theory and a doctoral candidate in the same area. After working 20 years for a multinational company, he ended is active life as a full-time translator. He is now retired but remains active in the childhood cancer community. João is very active now in the setting up of a Global Childhood Cancer Survivors’ Network, where he collaborates with survivors from around the world.

Steering Committee

Adekemi is a childhood cancer survivor of over two decades (Burkitt Lymphoma) and a certified Project Manager with a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and an MBA. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, she is a global advocate for childhood cancer, passionate about empowering survivors. She leads the EduCare Project, supporting education and healthcare for children affected by cancer, and founded Survivors Chronicles, a blog amplifying survivor voices and advocating for equitable care. 

Adekemi is an active member of Okapi Children Cancer Foundation, SIOP, ASCO, CCI-Global, and Africa Childhood Cancer SurNet. She has also contributed to research on childhood cancer survivorship and late effects. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving lives, driven by the belief: “What we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others stays and is immortal.”

Steering Committee

Pablo Allard, a 26-year-old cancer survivor from Chile, was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in 2001 and faced three relapses affecting his bone marrow, brain, and thyroid during childhood. Now a psychologist, he works with cancer patients, families, and survivors at a housing facility for adolescents with cancer. As vice-president of Chile’s National Network of Childhood Cancer Survivors, Pablo advocates for better quality of life for those affected by cancer and raises awareness about the disease’s impact. He has also participated in international studies and projects related to cancer, further supporting his mission to improve the lives of cancer patients and survivors.

Steering Committee

Adri Ludick has been involved with childhood cancer since 1997 and has ever since worked towards the growth and development of CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA and childhood cancer in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Her heart is in knowledge sharing and capacity building that she developed through years of experience as a volunteer, Regional Manager, the Programme Development Manager and National Interim Leader of CHOC.

 Adri serves on the Childhood Cancer International Africa Regional Committee and was part of the Local Organizing committee for SIOP Africa 2024. She was also the chair for the civil society scientific committee.

Steering Committee

Carlos is an acute lymphoblastic leukaemia survivor from Guadalajara, Mexico. His childhood cancer journey taught him to treasure every moment and live fully. He serves as a member of the Childhood Cancer International Latin America (CCI LATAM), board member,  president and co-founder of Faros de Vida, a network for childhood cancer survivors in Latin America.

His cancer experience inspired him to make a positive impact, leading him to study education and become a school teacher. He strives to bring joy and inspire others through his work.

Since 2014, He has volunteered in childhood cancer advocacy and survivor support. In 2019, He began volunteering formally in this field and remains committed to supporting survivors and raising awareness.

Steering Committee

Carmen Monge-Montero is a Costa Rican cancer advocate, researcher, and Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor, diagnosed at 24. Having lived in over six countries, she brings a global perspective to improving the lives of young cancer survivors, focusing on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). She champions policy change, including Costa Rica’s ‘Right to be Forgotten’ legislation. Through her YouTube channel, MANO, she connects survivors globally, while her children’s book series, Can-Can and the Adventure of Mìng Island, reduces cancer stigma. Carmen’s work empowers survivors, fosters inclusivity, and advances cancer care worldwide.

Steering Committee

Patrick is a survivor of osteosarcoma (diagnosed in 2001). Since 2013, he has been an advocate of betterment in childhood cancer survivors’ quality of life. 

He was a co-author of “The Declaration of Dublin”, an advocacy statement published in 2016 to highlight childhood survivor’ demands for a better quality of life across the globe.

Currently, he is part of the global survivor’s network steering committee as an Asia representation. Alongside his involvement in the global survivor’s network, he is a co-convener of the working group of the CCI Asia Survivors Network and a co-opt member of CCI Asia Regional Committee.

On the professional side, Patrick is a Senior Consultant in Aon’s Talent Solutions, specializing in talent and employee rewards advisory in the financial services industry in Asia Pacific, as well as the higher education sector and public bodies in Hong Kong with extensive experiences in designing and reviewing job architecture and compensation plans/structures. Together with his previous in-house experience, he has more than 10 years of experience in human resources management spanning across business partnering, compensation and benefits, and organization development.

Steering Committee

Preeti Phad is a childhood cancer survivor (CCS), was diagnosed with retinoblastoma at 8, losing vision in one eye. After a late diagnosis led to metastasis, she faced significant treatment challenges. Despite financial hardships, her mother, with support from Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), ensured she completed her treatment. With other CCS from TMH’s ACT clinic, she co-founded UGAM (2009), a support group of CCS, which is an integral part of the Indian Cancer Society (ICS). She holds a degree in Master’s in Social Work. 

Currently, she’s a part of the CCI- Global Survivorship Network, member of CCI Asia survivors network, ICCI survivorship task force & representative for patient advocacy of the ethical committee at TMH. As the manager of the survivorship program at the ICS, she leads UGAM, advocating for cancer survivors & focusing on the critical issues of late-effects treatments, raising awareness, & providing support to survivors both nationally & internationally. Her lifelong commitment is to improve the lives of cancer survivors, offering guidance, resources & advocacy to help them navigate life after cancer.

Steering Committee

Sidney Chahonyo is a 20-year cancer survivor dedicated to transforming the cancer landscape and advocating for holistic childhood cancer care. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Marketing and a Master’s in Management and Organizational Development.

Sidney serves as the Fundraising Director of Hope for Cancer Kids, Kenya, and is a board member of the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO) and Childhood Cancer International (CCI). He also contributes to Kenya’s National Cancer Control Program as a member of the Technical Working Groups for Childhood Cancer and Prevention, Screening, and Early Detection.

His mission is to create lasting social impact and improve outcomes for children and families affected by cancer.

Steering Committee

Tiago is a long-term childhood cancer survivor actively engaged in initiatives focused on survivorship, quality of life, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer projects. He serves as a a Patient Advocate at Acreditar, a leading organisation in Portugal supporting children with cancer and their families. Additionally, Tiago is a Committee Member of CCI-Europe, where he co-leads the survivorship pillar, and is an ambassador for the EU-Youth Cancer Survivors Network (EU-CAYAS-NET). He contributes to advocacy and policy development efforts aimed at improving outcomes for childhood cancer patients across Europe.

Tiago is also involved in addressing financial discrimination faced by young cancer survivors and advocating for the "right to be forgotten." Through his various roles, he is committed to raising awareness, providing support, and driving meaningful change for children with cancer and their families.