South Carolina Childhood Cancer Taskforce Produces First Pediatric Cancer Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 1, 2026

COLUMBIA, S.C. – In conjunction with September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the South Carolina Cancer Alliance and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), in collaboration with the South Carolina Children’s Hospital Collaborative, have released the state’s inaugural pediatric cancer plan, a key component of the state’s broader cancer plan.

The South Carolina Pediatric Cancer Plan will serve as the pediatrics section of the 2027-2031 South Carolina State Cancer Plan, marking the first time that statewide plan will feature a section dedicated to pediatric cancer. The 2027-2031 State Comprehensive Cancer Plan will be released in full in February.

The mission of the pediatric plan is to improve childhood cancer survival, optimize clinical outcomes, strengthen quality of life and well-being for patients and families, and broaden access to high-quality care for all patients.

“This inaugural section represents what is possible when pediatric oncologists, cancer registry experts, parent advocates, and health systems across South Carolina come together around a shared mission,” said Nicole Echols, SC Cancer Alliance chief executive officer. “The Pediatric Workgroup did exceptional work assessing the real needs of survivors and their families, and we hope this plan honors every child and family who has been touched by childhood cancer in our state. The SC Cancer Alliance is proud to elevate pediatric cancer and make sure children are reflected as part of the broader state cancer plan.”

The pediatric plan was developed through a consensus-driven process led by the South Carolina Pediatric Cancer Workgroup, which includes pediatric oncologists from the state’s three pediatric cancer treatment centers, leadership from the South Carolina Cancer Alliance, DPH staff, parent advocates, and a pediatric neurocognitive educator.

“The development of the South Carolina Pediatric Cancer Plan was a collaborative effort requiring many voices every step of the way,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, acting DPH director. “Everyone involved shares a commitment to improving outcomes for children across our state, and our collective expertise ensures the plan reflects the real needs of families and the realities of cancer care.”

The South Carolina Pediatric Cancer Plan builds upon the findings of the state’s first childhood cancer report, released in 2024, which documented substantial progress in survival rates alongside clear opportunities for improvement. The report found that the five-year relative survival rate for childhood cancer in South Carolina was 84% and survival rates had risen 11% over the 25-year study period. 

These improved survival rates led to a growing population of childhood cancer survivors in the state who need medical care and support, making survivorship a major category in the newly released plan. 

“We care for these children and families every day, and we listen to them,” said Dr. Anna Hoppmann, University of South Carolina School of Medicine assistant professor of pediatrics and Prisma Health pediatric oncologist. “While we have made significant progress in South Carolina, there are still opportunities to improve. From the day a child is diagnosed through long-term survivorship, we want to ensure that all South Carolina families have the support and resources they need."

“Many of our patients strive to maintain their education during cancer treatment, and that was a top priority identified by families,” Hoppmann said. "As part of the plan, we have dedicated a section to Educational Support and will work with parents, educators and school psychologists to develop a statewide Educational Support Toolkit. This resource will help children with cancer safely continue their education while undergoing treatment.”

The plan also aims to expand access to care and improve outcomes for all patients through observational research on the biological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors influencing clinical outcomes.

“Based on the 2024 South Carolina Childhood Cancer Report, close to 3,000 childhood cancer survivors live in South Carolina. During the survivorship period, the focus is on monitoring for late effects of cancer treatment, which can develop at any point in a survivor’s lifetime,” said Dr. Anca Dumitriu, Medical University of South Carolina pediatric oncologist. “Having a comprehensive survivorship plan to guide patients and their medical teams for the rest of their lives is critically important. One of the objectives of the inaugural pediatric cancer plan is to create statewide, standardized survivorship care plans that would help inform patients about the lifelong monitoring they need.”

The pediatric plan was endorsed by the South Carolina Children’s Hospital Collaborative, a nonprofit association of South Carolina’s four children’s hospitals.

“We are glad to support and endorse the collaborative efforts to improve the care of children in South Carolina with cancer,” said Dr. Caughman Taylor, SC Children’s Hospital Collaborative president and Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Midlands senior medical director. “As the Children’s Hospitals who provide this care, we see this Pediatric Cancer Plan as important to help us accomplish our missions and to provide the best care available.”

To read the full South Carolina Pediatric Cancer Plan, visit sccancer.org/cancer-plan/pediatrics.

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