Since the center’s inception in 2018, the Memphis-based institution has functioned as a primary advisor to the WHO, contributing to national policy frameworks and technical cooperation. This collaboration remains central to the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, which seeks to reach a 60% global survival rate for children with cancer by 2030. Currently, survival rates in many developing nations remain below 30%, a disparity James R. Downing, St. Jude president and CEO, describes as a core focus of the hospital’s international mission.

The expanded work plan for this term broadens the scope beyond oncology. Under the guidance of Catherine Lam, director of the centre, the partnership will now integrate palliative care and management strategies for other catastrophic pediatric illnesses, including sickle cell disease. By leveraging the St. Jude Global Alliance—a network spanning over 400 institutions in 90 countries—the hospital acts as an implementation engine for WHO standards, ensuring that clinical breakthroughs are translated into accessible care in diverse health systems.