Penn State’s Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium welcomes GRAACC Hospital in São Paulo
College of Medicine’s global pediatric cancer research landscape now spans 3 continents
Penn State College of Medicine and the Beat Childhood Cancer (BCC) Research Consortium are proud to announce the addition of GRAACC Hospital (Grupo de Apoio ao Adolescente e à Criança com Câncer) in São Paulo, one of Brazil’s leading pediatric oncology institutions, to its international research network. GRAACC becomes the consortium’s first partner site in South America, marking a significant milestone in expanding global access to innovative pediatric cancer clinical trials.
For more than three decades GRAACC Hospital has been recognized as a national leader in the treatment and research of complex pediatric cancers in Brazil. The hospital combines cutting-edge clinical expertise with a deep commitment to delivering equitable cancer care to children from across Brazil and Latin America. Its integration into the BCC Research Consortium will further strengthen international collaboration across 3 continents, including a recently announced Brazilian partnership, and accelerate the development of lifesaving therapies.‑saving therapies.
“These partnerships are essential to achieving our mission,” said Giselle Saulnier Sholler, MD, MSc, chair and founder of the BCC Research Consortium at Penn State College of Medicine. “Every child deserves timely access to the most promising therapies, no matter where they live. Welcoming GRAACC, a globally respected institution with an exceptional record of clinical excellence, deepens our ability to bring hope to families worldwide. Their leadership in pediatric oncology will be invaluable as we expand access, accelerate discovery, and work toward better outcomes for all children.”
As part of this new collaboration, GRAACC will serve as a Latin American partner site for BCC sponsored studies, helping accelerate trial enrollment and extend opportunities to populations historically underrepresented in pediatric cancer research. The site will also support regional regulatory processes and facilitate the safe delivery of investigational therapies , helping accelerate trial enrollment and extend opportunities to populations historically underrepresented in pediatric cancer research. The site will also support regional regulatory processes and facilitate the safe delivery of investigational therapies to eligible patients.‑sponsored studies, helping accelerate trial enrollment and extend opportunities to populations historically underrepresented in pediatric cancer research. The site will also support regional regulatory processes and facilitate the safe delivery of investigational therapies to eligible patients.
“Our partnership with the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium expands our ability to bring the most innovative treatment options to children across Brazil,” said Dr. Monica Cypriano, Medical Care Director at GRAACC. “GRAACC treats thousands of patients annually with a model that integrates care, research, and education. Joining BCC allows us to contribute directly to global clinical studies while ensuring our patients have access to transformative therapies.”
Funding that supports this international work comes from Four Diamonds, the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation and many philanthropic partners committed to advancing the fight against pediatric cancer
“This expansion underscores our unwavering commitment to shaping the future of pediatric medicine on a global scale,” said Karen Kim, MD, MS, dean of Penn State College of Medicine. “We are honored to work alongside GRAACC to drive discovery, accelerate progress and bring hope to children who need it most across the Americas.”
By joining the BCC Research Consortium, GRAACC Hospital and Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital strengthen their shared role as international leaders in pediatric cancer research, treatment innovation and equitable access to care.
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