Children's Oncology Group

Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital and Children's Oncology Group

We are a member of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) and have been since 1985. 

The COG is a "cooperative group": that is, a band of doctors and hospitals that agree to care for children with cancer in the most up-to-date way so we can quickly learn about improvements to care. Nearly all oncologists who care for children are part of COG. In fact, you should insist that your child be cared for at an institution that is a member of this important group. Here’s why.

Cancer in children is, thankfully, rare. Any given hospital will have only a handful of a given type of childhood cancer, hardly enough to reliably learn about. But by banding together we can compare children across the nation and today, actually, across the world. Fifty years ago, nearly every child with cancer died. Today, because of the work of the COG, about 80% of children with cancer are cured to go on and enjoy long productive lives.

But the work isn’t done. Some cancers are still stubborn to treat. By coming to a COG institution your child can take advantage of the most advanced care. You will probably also be asked if you would like to participate in our COG clinical trials so we can learn more and help the next child who comes along with cancer.

You can find out more about COG by vising their website or asking the staff you meet at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.