27/10/2011

Leo Messi Foundation, along with Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, and the support of Ànima Foundation, are collaborating to bring Argentine paediatricians to Catalonia to be trained as specialists in oncology, paediatrics hematology and other paediatrics subspecialties at these three hospitals. Trainees follow a program that develops over several months and aims to broaden the knowledge of Argentine doctors in these three referral hospitals nationally and internationally. They have the opportunity to follow the clinical practice and learn more about pediatrics oncology, hematopoietic progenitor transplantation and the management of patients who require it, and also in other pediatric subspecialties such as infectious and immune diseases, endocrine, gastroenterology, neurology, and inborn errors of metabolism.Vall d'Hebron University Hospital is a national reference center for all pediatrics specialties, in particular, cancer and hematological diseases in childhood. Its long experience and technological resources enable it to offer comprehensive care for patients and their families, covering all treatment, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The 1,000 transplants performed to date places it as the center with more case studies and experience in Spain. Survival rates are equivalent to international excellence centers. As a center of international reference, it provides clinical care, conducts research and performs teaching in coordination with the international (SIOP, EBMT, CIBMTR) and national (SEHOP, Pethema) scientific societies, as well as aligned with the most prestigious hospitals internationally.A translational research line in childhood cancer and blood diseases is currently conducted at Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), which over time has contributed to better diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and control of these diseases. Thanks to the collaboration of Leo Messi Foundation two specialists in Hematology and Oncology from the Hospital Victor J. Vilela of Rosario (Argentina) have completed a training period in the field of child hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and it will continue with new trainees.