Survey Maps African Childhood Cancer Survivors' Needs

Thousands of African childhood cancer survivors now have a chance to share their stories and shape the future of their care.

The CCI Survivors Network (SurNet), part of Childhood Cancer International, just launched its first Africa-focused survey for people who beat childhood cancer. The project addresses a major problem: almost no data exists about what these survivors need or how to support them after treatment.

Adekemi Oyewusi, Project Manager at Maisha Meds, is helping spread the word about this critical initiative. She's calling on survivors and communities across the continent to participate before the June 15, 2026 deadline.

The survey targets anyone diagnosed with cancer before age 18 who is now an adult. Their responses will help healthcare systems understand the unique challenges African survivors face, from accessing long-term medical care to finding peer support networks.

SurNet already connects childhood cancer survivors worldwide, creating a global community for peer support and advocacy. This African survey represents the network's commitment to ensuring every continent's voice gets heard equally in the conversation about survivor care.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of this survey reaches far beyond individual responses. Each completed form adds to a growing evidence base that advocates can use to push for better healthcare policies across Africa.

The data will help identify gaps in long-term follow-up care, a crucial issue since many childhood cancer survivors face late effects from their treatment. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward creating dedicated support systems that currently don't exist in many African countries.

By mapping where survivors are and what they need, the survey creates opportunities to build stronger peer networks. These connections can reduce isolation and create communities where survivors support each other through shared experiences.

Healthcare systems across the continent will gain concrete evidence about survivor needs they can use to design better programs. Policymakers will have the data they need to allocate resources more effectively.

The survey transforms individual survivor experiences into collective power for change. Every response strengthens the case for improved care, better quality of life, and reduced late effects for future generations of childhood cancer survivors.

When African survivors share their voices through this survey, they're not just telling their stories. They're building a foundation for lasting improvements in survivor care across an entire continent.