CHILHOOD CANCERS: SECOND CALL FOR PROJECTS « My child matters »

PRESS RELEASE Contacts: UICC sanofi-aventis José Julio Divino Catherine Boniface Head, Campaigns and Communications Cluster Director, Humanitarian Sponsorship Programme, and Tel : 41 22 809 1878 Communication on Access to Medicine divino@uicc.org Tel : 33 1 53 77 43 42 catherine.boniface@sanofi-aventis.com CHILHOOD CANCERS: SECOND CALL FOR PROJECTS « My child matters » Paris, France, October 2, 2006 – The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and sanofi-aventis are launching the second Call for Projects to fight childhood cancer in countries where paediatric oncology is still an underdeveloped field. After setting-up in 10 pilot countries in 2005, the My Child Matters initiative is now being launched in six additional countries: Bolivia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mali, Peru and Romania. Although childhood cancers represent a small percentage of all cancers, the gap in the survival rate between industrialised and developing countries remains the most marked and it is in these resource-constrained countries where 80% of children with cancer live. Each year, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer and approximately 90,000 will die. In industrialised countries, nearly 80% of children being treated for cancer will survive. Unfortunately, this survival rate drops to 20% and even 10% in developing countries where access to information, early detection, effective care and treatment are often not available. This indeed is unfortunate as most children with cancer can be cured if prompt and essential treatment is accessible. Because every child matters, the My child matters initiative aims to encourage all relevant organisations and institutions (hospitals, NGOs…) to demonstrate innovative and catalytic approaches to early detection, access to care and treatment, pain management and the sheer importance of addressing the psychosocial and cultural aspects of cancer as it relates to both the child with cancer and his or her family. In 2005, 14 projects were selected by the Advisory Steering Committee* in the 10 first pilot countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, Honduras, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam. In 2006, the Call for Projects in the 6 new countries will last through Friday, 17 November 2006. As with the previously selected projects, the 2006 grant recipients will benefit from the expert guidance of the Advisory Steering Committee. Financial support of up to €50,000 will be awarded in Year One. Subject to the evaluation of results achieved, additional financial support may be awarded in Year Two. Projects will be selected for funding based on: feasibility, anticipated benefits for children and their families, demonstrated accountability and sustainability, including possible replication of initiatives in other countries. In continuation of the My Child Matters programme in these six additional countries, UICC and sanofi-aventis are promoting these pilot projects and the sharing of best practices to provide children with cancer in developing countries with the same chance of survival as those in industrialised countries. According to Dr. Franco Cavalli, President of UICC, “We must improve the survival rate of children living with cancer throughout the world. In developing countries where more than 80% of childhood cancer patients are to be found and where the survival rates are the lowest, governments do not have the financial means to implement public health projects. This initiative will contribute to raising awareness of the fact that childhood cancer can be treated and often cured”. This commitment is shared by Jean-François Dehecq, Chairman and CEO of sanofi-aventis who declared, “One of the essential roles of a group such as ours is to identify new avenues of research and to make innovative and adapted treatment available to patients. However, our action, in cooperation with organisations such as UICC, must go even further to help reduce the gap between different countries, in particular in the interest of children. This requires even more solidarity.” About UICC The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is the only international non-governmental organization that is dedicated solely to the global control of cancer. Its vision is of a world where cancer is eliminated as a major life threatening disease for future generations. As the world’s largest independent, non-profit association of cancer-fighting organizations, UICC is a catalyst for responsible dialogue and collective action. With over 270 member organizations in more than 80 countries, UICC is a resource for action and a voice for change. About sanofi-aventis Sanofi-aventis is the world’s third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). *My child matters Advisory Steering Committee: Dr Franco Cavalli (UICC President, Director, Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana), Dr Tim Eden (President, International Society of Paediatric Oncology), Dr Jean Lemerle (President, French-African Paediatric Oncology Group), Dr Ian Magrath (President, International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research), Dr Raul Ribeiro (Director, International Outreach Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, USA), Dr Hélène Sancho Garnier (Head, Epidaure C.R.L.C. Val d’Aurelle-Paul Lamarque, France), Dr Eva Steliarova-Foucher (International Agency for Research on Cancer), Dr Isabelle Tabah-Fisch (Oncology Senior Medical Director, sanofi-aventis), Mr Geoff Thaxter, Vice-Chair, International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations) ------------------------------------------------------------ Informasjonen er sendt gjennom Waymaker http://www.waymaker.no