Grants for Oncology MED Students

Introduction

Thank you for being part of Fundación Aladina and for making the Grants for Oncology MED Students Program possible. Within our Comprehensive Support / Training and Research area, this initiative continues to grow and strengthen pediatric cancer care across Spain. Today, 12 young professionals — 11 pediatric oncologists and 1 pediatric oncology nurse — are training through this program in six cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, and Albacete, working directly with children and adolescents facing cancer while they specialize in Pediatric Onco-Hematology.

Program Impact

Paula, a nurse specializing in pediatric onco-hematology at Hospital Gregorio Marañón, is one of the professionals supported through this program. She shares: "I have always felt a special calling to care for children and, thanks to Aladina, I can accompany them and their families through such a complex process. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this project, which helps us advance in the care of pediatric oncology patients." Her experience reflects the heart of this initiative: combining training, compassion, and daily support for young patients and their families.

Results and Achievements

Since the last report, the program has grown from 11 to 12 active grants and now reaches six cities across Spain, expanding both its scope and its impact. A key milestone this period was Aladina's first Scientific-Clinical Conference for Pediatric Oncologists, which brought our grant recipients together with leading national and international specialists — including Carlos Rodríguez-Galindo, director of St. Jude Global — for exclusive training, mentorship, and networking. Beyond funding, the program is now building a lasting professional community around the specialists it supports. This progress is made possible thanks to you and to the energy of the Pañuelo Challenge, where thousands of children across schools in Spain stand in solidarity with pediatric cancer patients, raising awareness and generating the resources these opportunities require.

Challenges and Solutions

Sustaining and expanding this program remains a key challenge, as demand for specialized training keeps growing and the field faces structural needs — from the formal recognition of Pediatric Oncology as a medical specialty to the incorporation of genomic medicine and the training of new generations of specialists. Initiatives like the Pañuelo Challenge are essential to meeting that demand, bringing together schools, children, and families in a shared mission: to support young patients while enabling healthcare professionals to receive the best possible training.

Future Steps

Looking ahead, in 2026 we aim to keep expanding the number of scholarships and professionals supported, including both doctors and specialized nurses. We will also consolidate the professional community built through our Scientific-Clinical Conference, which will be held annually, ensuring that the specialists you support continue to learn from the best. By strengthening this program, we ensure that more children with cancer receive expert, compassionate care — today and in the future.

Links:

• Aladina's website