Overview

• A €15 million budget for pediatric cancer research, unanimously approved by the French Parliament, was omitted from the final 2025 budget adopted under Article 49.3.
• The omission sparked outrage among lawmakers, advocacy groups, and families, with critics accusing the government of prioritizing cost-cutting over children's health.
• The funding was meant to support clinical trials and research programs addressing cancers that affect approximately 2,300 children annually in France, with 450 deaths each year.
• Following public outcry, the government announced its commitment to reinstate the €15 million for pediatric cancer research in 2025, though details on implementation remain unclear.
• Advocacy groups expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing the need for sustained attention on pediatric cancer research, particularly ahead of World Childhood Cancer Day on February 15.