On March 18, 2026, the City of Smile Foundation and the Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center hosted an international delegation in Armenia as part of the ACT for Children initiative, a global public-private partnership working to strengthen pediatric oncology services and improve outcomes for children with cancer.
Armenia became the initiative’s first partner country in 2024. Since then, collaboration between ACT for Children, national institutions, clinicians, and international organizations has focused on building a comprehensive care ecosystem from diagnostics and multidisciplinary treatment to supportive services and family-centred care. Current joint projects include expanding access to innovative therapies, developing a nationwide pediatric oncology Nutrition Program, and reinforcing diagnostic capabilities at the Yeolyan Center.
The visiting delegation included representatives from ACT for Children, Servier, Amgen, Childhood Cancer International, and the International Society of Pediatric Oncology.
“Children No Longer Need to Leave Armenia”
At the concluding press conference, Dr. Scott Howard, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Resonance, delivered the most striking remarks, reflecting on Armenia’s rapid progress over the past three years.
He recalled that families once faced a painful decision when a child was diagnosed with cancer: whether to leave the country for treatment abroad.
Today, he said, that question is increasingly unnecessary.
Children with leukemia in Armenia can now receive the same treatment they would get in Europe, the United States, Japan, or Australia without leaving home.
Howard credited this progress to strong local leadership combined with sustained international partnerships.
Servier and Amgen: From Aid to Sustainability
A central theme of Howard’s speech was the importance of reliable, long-term access to medicines, not one-time donations.
He explained that short-term deliveries can leave many patients untreated, creating inequity and uncertainty. Instead, ACT for Children partners have committed to continuous supply programs.
Within this framework, concrete therapeutic support has already begun to transform care. Over the past year, Servier has ensured uninterrupted supply of high-quality PEG-asparaginase, a cornerstone drug in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Amgen’s immunotherapy Blinatumomab, also used for ALL, is expected to arrive in Armenia in the coming days and will be introduced into clinical practice immediately.
An ACT for Children representative noted that both medicines will be provided to Armenia free of charge for a three-year period, a commitment designed to guarantee continuity of treatment rather than temporary relief.
“You bring a box of medicine one month, you help five children. What about the rest?” he noted, underscoring the need for system-wide solutions.
Toward Equal Outcomes for Every Child
Howard emphasized that Armenia’s goal is clear: children diagnosed with cancer should have survival chances comparable to those in high-income countries.
Achieving this requires not only medicines but also strong diagnostics, supportive care, trained professionals, and coordinated partnerships, precisely the model ACT for Children is implementing in the country.
The delegation’s visit highlighted how sustained collaboration between local institutions, non-profit organizations, and industry partners can transform pediatric oncology care. For Armenia, it marks a significant step toward ensuring that world-class cancer treatment is available at home for every child who needs it.
You can read more articles about ACT for Children and Scott Howard covered on our website.
Written by Sergey Badalyan, MD