The Hope4Kids project

Every year, around 14,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in Europe. Although most survive thanks to advances in treatment, around 20% cannot be cured and die, often in hospital.

Paediatric palliative care (PPC) seeks to alleviate the physical, emotional and social suffering of patients and their families, but many children with cancer do not receive specialised palliative care, leading to deficiencies in symptom management, psychosocial support and bereavement care.

The Joint European action —HOPE4Kids— responds to differences between European countries in the availability and quality of PPC and promotes high-quality palliative care in paediatric oncology. The project brings together stakeholders from all Member States and countries associated with EU4Health to advance and improve PPC in Europe, addressing six key themes: symptom management, advance planning, shared decision-making, psychosocial care, pre-loss support and care models.