Dear Delegates, Colleagues, and Friends,
It is my distinct honor and privilege, as the Local Congress Chair, to welcome you to San Antonio, Texas, for the 58th Annual Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP 2026). This September, our city becomes the global crossroads for pediatric oncology, bringing together the world’s most dedicated physicians, nurses, scientists, and advocates with a singular, shared mission: to improve care and advance survivorship for children with cancer worldwide.
We are especially proud that this year’s congress is hosted in partnership with UT Health San Antonio. As a premier academic health center in the region, UT Health San Antonio is deeply committed to cutting-edge research, clinical excellence, and fostering global collaborations that directly impact patient care both globally and within our diverse local communities. Our institutional focus on bridging healthcare gaps aligns perfectly with SIOP’s core mission of driving global health equity.
San Antonio—a city celebrated for its rich history, vibrant multicultural heritage, and deep-rooted spirit of community—provides the ideal backdrop for the vital conversations, networking, and scientific exchanges that will take place this week. Beyond the invaluable sessions, I encourage you to experience the warmth of our city, from the historic Alamo to the winding paths of the River Walk.
Thank you for bringing your expertise, your passion, and your unwavering dedication to this congress. Together, through the knowledge shared and partnerships forged here in Texas, we will continue to make meaningful strides toward erasing the global disparities in childhood cancer care.
Welcome to San Antonio, and I wish you a highly inspiring and collaborative congress.
Warmest regards,
Chatchawin Assanasen, MD, MBA
Chair, Local Organizing Committee, SIOP 2026
Professor and CCRI Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Oncology
UT Health San Antonio