Viva Foundation For Children With Cancer

Leading the Fight Against Childhood Cancer

Established in 2006, the VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer is a Singapore-registered charity dedicated to a singular, life-saving mission. The foundation was born out of a profound recognition that childhood cancer requires specialized funding, focused research, and state-of-the-art facilities. Driven by the belief that every child deserves a chance to live to their fullest potential, VIVA has become a vital catalyst for advancements in paediatric oncology across Singapore and Asia.

A Legacy of Strategic Partnerships

The St. Jude–VIVA Forum in Paediatric Oncology (SJVF) is a pioneering collaboration between St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer. Since its inception, the Forum has grown into a comprehensive platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among paediatric oncology professionals across Asia.

Through the generous support of donors, VIVA managed to established a one-stop cancer centre for treatment of children cancer at the National University Hospital, NUH. This centre, affectionately known as VUC3, was officially opened by Minister Khaw Boon Wan on 4th March 2009. Over the years, VUC3 has established itself as a centre of excellence for the clinical care and treatment of childhood cancer in Singapore, for Singapore and the region.

The VIVA-NUS Centre for Translational Research in Acute Leukaemia (CenTRAL),a partnership between the School and VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer (VIVA), was made possible through a $10 million contribution by donors and partners brought together by VIVA. The facility seeks to improve cure rates and quality of life for children with leukaemia through more accurate disease classification and prediction, and determination of treatment response. It is led by Associate Professor Allen Yeoh and Professor Dario Campana, both from the Department of Paediatrics at NUS Medicine.  

“Saving lives of children with cancer through excellence in medical care, research, and education.”

Key Achievements and Impact

• The annual St. Jude-VIVA Forum in Paediatric Oncology, which has grown into a leading educational platform for medical professionals across 56 countries.
• The creation of the VIVA Hub, a 18,500 sqft facility in Novena that houses key charities and a specialized school for children recovering from cancer.
• The launch of the VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, enhancing clinical care and translational research for complex cancers.
• Pioneering the use of advanced cellular therapies, with VUC3 administering dozens of CAR-T products to save children with refractory conditions.

Looking toward the future, VIVA remains committed to its vision of being a world-class centre of excellence. By supporting healthcare professionals and catalysing revolutionary treatments, the foundation ensures that no child is left behind in the dawn of their lives.