One of the key parts of Gift of Life’s work is the Educational Programme for doctors and cancer specialists treating children and young adults with cancer and blood disorders across the CIS region. The programme provides access to international conferences, training opportunities, and academic resources that ensure local oncologists and paediatric specialists can stay at the forefront of modern medicine.
Cancer treatment is one of the most rapidly evolving fields in healthcare. To provide the most effective therapies, doctors must constantly expand their knowledge, exchange experience with global colleagues, and adopt innovative approaches. Gift of Life helps make this possible.
Programme Highlights:
- 144 medical specialists and scientists supported through the programme
- 192 educational applications approved
- Over 25 countries visited for international medical conferences and training, including Italy, Germany, the UK, Japan, Spain, Thailand, and the UAE
- Over £190,000 invested into professional development covering registration, travel, and accommodation With donor support, the programme has opened doors for paediatric oncologists, haematologists, surgeons, transplantation specialists and laboratory scientists to participate in leading medical congresses around the world.
Voices from the Specialists
Dr. Maria Skvortsova, Paediatric Oncologist at the Dmitry Rogachev Centre, shared:
“At a recent conference, colleagues from Canada presented results of treating children with a very rare syndrome, CMMRD. Their approach gave us a new direction for our own patients. Participation in such international events is a powerful experience that drives us forward and inspires us to work even harder.”
Dr. Grigory Tsaur, Head of Molecular Biology at Sverdlovsk Regional Children’s Hospital, added:
“Our clinic carries out around 40 bone marrow transplants annually. Attending conferences that bring together the world’s leading experts helps us expand our horizons, not only for paediatric oncologists but also for laboratory specialists who support every stage of the transplantation process.”
Why It Matters
Since its launch in 2013, the Educational Programme has provided systematic and continuous professional development for more than 140 specialists. With generous donor support, Gift of Life covers registration fees, travel, and accommodation for international conferences, giving doctors from the CIS region access to the latest research in paediatric oncology. These opportunities allow them to exchange expertise with colleagues worldwide, discuss complex cases, and build lasting professional networks – all of which directly enhance the treatment children receive.
This investment in education is an investment in children’s lives. Every new skill acquired, every method learned, and every collaboration built abroad improve the odds of cancer recovery for young patients at home.
Thanks to our donors, Gift of Life will continue supporting the medical specialists whose dedication, expertise, and compassion bring hope to children and families facing cancer.