e-QuoL Joins Gold September Events in Hungary to Promote Digital Health in Pediatric Oncology

Coinciding with September’s Gold September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month), the European project e-QuoL participated in events organized in Hungary by local pediatric oncology NGOs, together with the team from the organization Érintettek.

These included the third Gold September Charity Walk (Aranyséta), organized by the Pediatric Center of Semmelweis University and the Őrzők Foundation. The walk brought together children and families affected by childhood cancer, survivors, healthcare professionals, and supporters in the heart of Budapest, Hungary. It aimed to raise awareness of the challenges children with cancer and their families face, recognize the dedication of the healthcare teams who care for them, and bring the wider community together in support of these children and their families.

Connecting Digital Tools with the Survivor Community

The main goal of e-QuoL’s participation was to increase the visibility of the digital health (e-health) tools being developed by the e-QuoL consortium to support the long-term follow-up of children, adolescents, and young adult cancer survivors, as well as their families. During these gatherings, efforts focused on strengthening the survivor community, raising awareness about available project resources, and providing accessible digital solutions designed to improve quality of life after cancer treatment.

Advancing Equity in Healthcare Across Europe

A core principle of the e-QuoL project is reducing disparities in access to healthcare and support resources across European countries. Long-term follow-up care and resources after childhood cancer often vary significantly depending on geographical location and local healthcare systems.

The project’s active presence in Hungary represents an essential step toward connecting with survivor communities in Central and Eastern Europe. This aligns with e-QuoL’s ongoing commitment to health equity, previously highlighted through project activities in countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Ensuring that all young survivors, regardless of where they live, have equal access to information, community support, and self-management tools is crucial to leaving no patient behind.”

Text by Tamás Kecskés, Pediatric Center, Semmelweis University

Pictures

1. From left to right: Prof. Attila Szabó, Director of the Pediatric Center; Rita Major, Head Nurse; Prof. Gábor Kovács, Head of the Hematology Department; Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest; Panni Epres, Hungarian model; Prof. Miklós Garami, Head of the Neuro-Oncology Department; Andrea Farkas, Head Nurse; and Elvira Berecz, Head Nurse.
2. Participants crossing Elizabeth Bridge in Budapest during the Gold September Charity Walk.
3. Participants crossing the illuminated Chain Bridge during the Gold September Charity Walk.
4. As Budapest’s landmarks are usually illuminated in gold, the Hungarian Gold September campaign also incorporates blue lighting.
5. Zsuzsanna Jakab, member of the National Childhood Oncologic Registry, Hungarian Pediatric Oncology Network (HUPON) board and Erintettek Association.
6. Members of Érintettek association.