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About SPOG

As a non-profit organisation SPOG coordinates and is responsible for a comprehensive programme of clinical cancer research for children and adolescents all over Switzerland.

What does SPOG do?

The Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG) is a non-profit organisation constituted as an association that researches cancer in children and adolescents in close collaboration with leading international research groups. Our members are Swiss hospital departments that look after children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders. We work throughout Switzerland at the university hospitals in Bern, Basel, Zurich, Lausanne and Geneva and the children’s hospitals in St. Gallen, Lucerne, Aarau and Bellinzona.

Our vision: We want a future in which all children and adolescents with cancer can be cured.

For whom do we exist?

We are dedicated to children and adolescents with cancer and their families and stand up for their needs.

What do we do?

Our quality-controlled, international therapy optimisation studies enable children and adolescents with cancer to benefit from the latest scientific findings and international expertise. Our studies also help to improve treatments for future patients.

How do we work?

We work with internationally leading research groups and affected families to develop innovative treatment options for children with cancer. Our experts are passionate about their efforts to improve the chances of a cure and quality of life for children and adolescents with cancer.

Our mission: Research – giving a future to children with cancer.

Who are we?

Die Schweizerische Pädiatrische Onkologie Gruppe SPOG besteht seit 1976 als nationaler Zusammenschluss von engagierten Ärztinnen und Ärzten im Bereich der Krebsforschung für Kinder und Jugendliche. Sämtliche auf Kinderkrebs spezialisierten Spitalabteilungen der Schweiz sind Mitglieder der SPOG.

What do we want?

We want to ensure the best possible care for children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders in Switzerland. We strive to treat childhood cancer optimally and to improve the quality of life of affected children and adolescents.

Why do we exist?

SPOG researches the special aspects of cancer and blood disorders in childhood and adolescence. Children are not simply small adults. They develop different types of cancer and respond differently to medicines. Their cancer must therefore be researched separately so that their particular needs can be taken into account.

Our guiding principles

We are dedicated to sick children and adolescents and their families.
We stand up for the needs of those affected.
We operate a culture of mutual respect and trust.
We are committed to transparency, openness and willingness to help.
We are grateful for all support for our work.

Organisation of SPOG

This is how SPOG is organised:

All nine Swiss hospital departments that care for children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders are members of SPOG. The SPOG General Assembly approves and monitors the research programme and the other organs of the association. The business office, the SPOG Coordinating Center (CC) in Bern, is responsible for study and quality management and for procuring funding.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the governing body of SPOG. It comprises the heads of the paediatric oncology and haematology departments and units at the children’s hospitals in Switzerland.

Picture: Carolina Piasecki, Scientific Meeting 2023

The Board of Directors

The SPOG Board of Directors represents the association’s interests to the outside world and monitors ongoing business. It consists of the President, the Vice-President and other members who are elected every three years.

Prof. Dr. med. Katrin Scheinemann, M.Sc.
President
Prof. Dr. med. Katrin Scheinemann, M.Sc.
Medical Director Centre for Haematology/ Oncology
Foundation East Switzerland Children's Hospital St. Gallen
PD Dr. Nicolas Gerber
Vice President
PD Dr. Nicolas Gerber
Head of Clinical Trials Center Oncology
University Children's Hospital Zurich
PD Dr. Raffaele Renella
Assessor
PD Dr. Raffaele Renella
Head of the Department of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology
University Hospital Lausanne CHUV
PD Dr. André von Büren
Assessor
PD Dr. André von Büren
Head Physician Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology
University Hospitals Geneva HUG

Organisational Chart

You can download our organisational chart in PDF format here.

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Prof. Dr. Francois Doz, FranceProf. Dr. Angelika Eggert, GermanyProf. Dr. Stefan Pfister, GermanySCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARDChildren’s Cancer andLeukemia Group UK, CCLGGesellschaft für Pädiatrische Onkologieund Hämatologie, GPOHThe Nordic Society of PaediatricHaematology and Oncology, NOPHOSIOP Europe, the EuropeanSociety for Paediatric Oncology, SIOPECOLLABORATIVE GROUPSProf. Dr. Katrin Scheinemann(President)PD Dr. Nicolas Gerber(Vice President)PD Dr. Dr. Raffaele Renella(Assessor)PD Dr. Dr. André von Büren(Assessor)BOARD OF DIRECTORSManaging DirectorIsabelle Lamontagne-MüllerPartner RelationsTeam Leader: Fabian DreherGina Eggenschwiler | Flora von HolzenMonitoringAdrian Manser | Sara Nyffeler | Petra PolakovaQuality ManagementBravina NadarajahAdministrationManuela HellerHead Clinical OperationsDr. Michael ZellerClinical Project ManagementTeam Leader: Lara FuxMirjam Grylka | Yuvia Guilarte |Dr. Seraina DomenigAdministration: Laura CanonicaAarauDr. Jeanette GreinerBaselProf. Dr. Nicolas von der WeidBellinzonaPD Dr. Mattia RizziBernProf. Dr. RhoikosFurtwänglerGenevaProf. Dr. Marc AnsariLausannePD Dr. Raffaele RenellaLucerneDr. Freimut SchillingSt. GallenProf. Dr. Katrin ScheinemannZurichProf. Dr. Jean-Pierre BourquinHOSPITAL FACILITIES (SPOG STATIONS)SPOG MEMBER INSTITUTIONSGENERAL ASSEMBLYSPOG COORDINATING CENTERAugust 2023

Downloads

You can download important documents including the Annual report, the organisational chart and the SPOG bylaws here. They contain information about our work and our objectives and will enable you to get to know SPOG better.

SPOG Bylaws
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SPOG Organisational Chart
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SPOG 2022 Annual report
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