The ASTRO Board of Directors is unified in condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine. We deplore the attacks on medical facilities, and our Society members across the globe stand ready to support any efforts to ensure people with cancer have access to needed care. Our heartfelt support goes to our Ukrainian health care colleagues and all people affected including those who require urgent access to life-saving care. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and hope for a swift, peaceful resolution.

Survey on Impact of the War in Ukraine on Cancer Services
(Update: June 23, 2022)

The ECO-ASCO Special Network on the Impact of the War in Ukraine on Cancer is seeking input from medical providers, especially radiation therapy providers, in countries surrounding Ukraine to complete a survey assessing the needs of practitioners working in hospitals and cancer centers, as well as patient organizations treating and supporting Ukrainian people with cancer.

The survey hopes to draw a comprehensive picture of the impacts caused to cancer services, the local patient population coming from Ukraine, service capacity issues (e.g., potential staff shortages), availability of health care equipment and medicines, as well as challenges faced and initiatives taken to best support Ukrainians with cancer locally.

The survey is open until July 10 and accessible here. Please share this link with any colleagues you know in the regions.

Volunteer Opportunity for Clinicians

The Clinician Volunteer Corps works in tandem with American Cancer Society’s National Cancer Information Center (NCIC) team members to field inquiries from patients, family members and clinicians in Eastern Europe. NCIC specialists will field calls and then transfer them to Clinician Volunteer Corps representatives. If you are an oncologist or oncology nurse who speaks English and/or Central and Eastern European languages, please volunteer today.

ECO-ASCO Special Network: Impact of the War in Ukraine on Cancer

ASTRO is part of the new European Cancer Organisation (ECO)-ASCO network, the Impact of the War in Ukraine on Cancer. The network has resources for Ukrainians and others who do not speak English and includes links to resources in multiple languages. This site will be updated regularly to highlight the work being done by oncology, medical and patient organizations across Europe that can provide support to Ukrainians with cancer. Visit onco-help.org to view the resources.

Help for People with Cancer and Caregivers

The American Cancer Society provides support that includes in-language written resources to offer guidance to people with cancer and their families in collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center - Jefferson Health. Receive information and connect with someone who can answer your cancer questions during this difficult time.

GCR Emergency Radiotherapy Data Request

The Global Coalition for Radiotherapy is working to provide important data to the European Cancer Organisation, World Health Organisation Europe, and other concerned parties, to help patients get the support they need. Do you have additional details to support the GCR data? They want to get it to the people who need it most. Email them with your relevant radiotherapy data. Email information is on their website. You can follow them on Twitter at @GlobalRTCo.