Fundación POHEMA

What Fundación POHEMA does

Fundación POHEMA (Pediatras OncoHEMAtólogos) is a Colombian non-profit foundation constituted on January 8, 2010, headquartered in Cali, Valle del Cauca. Its mission is improving survival outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer and blood diseases through evidence-based research, real-time clinical outcomes measurement, applied research, and patient/family education. The organization operates through a 12-person core team of specialized pediatric oncologist-hematologists, pathologists, clinical epidemiologists, hospital management specialists, and technical staff, supported by an extended clinical monitor network.

The foundation's core technological asset is VIGICÁNCER, a real-time pediatric cancer epidemiological surveillance system embedded within the Cali Population-Based Cancer Registry (RPCC). VIGICÁNCER tracks patients under 19 years with new cancer diagnoses, collecting baseline and follow-up outcomes (death, relapse, treatment abandonment, second neoplasms) from medical records, pathology reports, hospital discharge logs, death certificates, and the National Public Health Insurance database. As of December 2018, 4,127 children were registered in the system, which expanded from Cali to approximately 50% coverage of Colombian children across 8 cities during 2013-2018. Surrounding VIGICÁNCER, the foundation runs a portfolio of branded programs — NAVIGUÍA (professional navigator training with 14,444+ topics), S-IMCICA (integral pediatric oncohematology care), Programa Enfermedades Raras, Programa Coagulopatías, POHEMA Contigo (psychosocial support), Versitos de Vida (inspirational content), Ruta de la Vida (sickle cell disease program), Mi Pohemita cartillas, Boletines POHEMA, and the annual Congreso Nacional POHEMA congress.

The foundation operates entirely on donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and healthcare partners, with core institutional support from Sanofi Espoir Foundation's "My Child Matters" program since 2009 and additional backing from Novartis, the UICC, and the Keyra Grace Foundation. All services, educational materials, and programs are provided free of charge to beneficiaries (children with cancer/blood diseases and their families) and to healthcare professionals; go-to-market is community-led through content distribution via pohema.org, newsletters, social media, virtual conferences, and in-person jornadas. The customer base spans three primary segments: pediatric patients and families (primary), pediatric oncology/hematology professionals, and Colombian health authorities/policymakers who consume surveillance data for policy and legislative applications (including Ley 1388 de 2010).

Name

Fundación POHEMA

Legal name

Fundación POHEMA

Website

https://pohema.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fundación POHEMA is a Colombian non-profit foundation that operates VIGICÁNCER, a real-time pediatric cancer outcomes surveillance system, alongside patient/family education, professional training, and psychosocial support programs serving children with cancer and blood diseases across 8 Colombian cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Oncology Surveillance & Research

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAA

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYHLAJALAF

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Public Health Funding, Grants & Program Administration

Keywords

• Pediatric oncology research
• Cancer surveillance systems
• Childhood cancer education
• Pediatric hematology programs
• Clinical epidemiology registry

Headquarters

HQ city

Cali

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and charitable contributions: The foundation operates entirely on donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and healthcare partners. Financial support is directed toward the VIGICÁNCER research project, patient/family educational materials, and social support programs for children with cancer and blood diseases.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fundación POHEMA operates VIGICÁNCER, a real-time pediatric cancer epidemiological surveillance system that identifies and tracks clinical outcomes (death, relapse, treatment abandonment, second neoplasms) for children under 19 with cancer across 8 Colombian cities, covering approximately 50% of Colombian children. Beyond surveillance, the foundation delivers structured clinical programs (Naviguía, S-IMCICA, Rare Diseases, Coagulopatías), patient/family educational resources, and psychosocial support services for children with cancer and blood diseases including drepanocitosis. All offerings are provided free of charge through hospital partnerships, the pohema.org website, national congresses, and community educational events.

Product overview

Fundación POHEMA (Pediatras OncoHEMAtólogos) is a Colombian non-profit foundation established in 2010, dedicated to improving cure possibilities for children diagnosed with cancer and blood diseases. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around VIGICÁNCER (a real-time pediatric cancer surveillance system), patient navigation (Programa Naviguía), specialized disease programs (S-IMCICA, Rare Diseases, Coagulopathies), and comprehensive support services (POHEMA Contigo, Versitos de Vida). Educational offerings include the Mi Pohemita cartillas, POHEMA newsletters, Tips POHEMA, and virtual conferences. The foundation organizes annual national congresses and community educational events. The organization's work spans clinical research, epidemiological surveillance, healthcare professional training, and direct patient/family support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIGICÁNCER: Clinical outcomes surveillance system for pediatric cancer, a real-time monitoring system embedded in a population-based cancer registry to assess childhood cancer outcomes
• NAVIGUÍA
• POHEMA Contigo
• RUTA DE LA VIDA
• S-IMCICA
• Programa Enfermedades Raras
• Programa Coagulopatías
• Versitos de Vida

Products and services

• VIGICÁNCER Pediatric Cancer Epidemiological Surveillance System that identifies and tracks factors associated with childhood cancer in Cali, Colombia. Monitors clinical outcomes, registers cases, systematizes and analyzes information, and periodically disseminates results to guide health interventions. Covers approximately 50% of Colombian children across 8 cities, with 4,127+ children registered as of December 2018.
• Programa Naviguía Navigation program that trains professionals as navigators with scientific knowledge to provide opportunity and excellence in childhood cancer patient care, with a vision adapted to each region and oncology center. Includes an online forum and library.
• Programa S-IMCICA Specialized program for integral care in pediatric oncohematology.
• Programa Enfermedades Raras Program focused on rare diseases in pediatric oncohematology.
• Programa Coagulopatías Program dedicated to coagulation disorders including hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other bleeding disorders.
• Mi Pohemita - Cartillas Educativas Educational booklet series (6 volumes) addressing topics around diagnosis, consequences, and care of pediatric cancer patients and blood diseases in a clear and easy-to-understand format, designed for patients and families.
• Boletines POHEMA Periodic virtual publication developing different topics related to pediatric cancer and blood diseases, informing the community about key associated topics and answering questions.
• POHEMA Contigo Psychological and emotional support program providing advice and recommendations for families facing childhood cancer, including communication guidance and coping strategies.
• Versitos de Vida Inspirational content section with verses that inspire and motivate families to fight and move forward through their cancer journey.
• Ruta de la Vida Project directed at children with drepanocitosis (sickle cell disease) providing comprehensive care including medical, psychological, and social support.
• Tips POHEMA Health tips and care advice for children with cancer and/or blood diseases, covering topics like fever, hydration, pain management, nutrition, and infection prevention.
• Conferencias Virtuales Virtual conferences covering topics on hematology, oncology, hemophilia care, bone tumors, and other pediatric blood/cancer topics for healthcare professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-year overall survival rate for all childhood cancers: 51.7% (95% CI: 47.9%-55.4%)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UICC - Unión Internacional contra el CáncercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009UICC provides support and endorsement to VIGICÁNCER, the pediatric cancer surveillance system developed by Fundación POHEMA and the Registro Poblacional de Cáncer de Cali. UICC is a key international partner providing credibility and strategic alignment with global cancer control efforts.
• ACHOP - Asociación Colombiana de Hematología y Oncología PediátricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACHOP is a professional association of pediatric hematology and oncology specialists. POHEMA members serve in leadership roles within ACHOP, and the foundation organizes its national congress in partnership with ACHOP. ACHOP members actively participate in VIGICÁNCER research and publications.
• Registro Poblacional de Cáncer de Cali (RPCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIGICÁNCER is embedded within the Cali Population-Based Cancer Registry (RPCC), which has been in continuous operation since 1962. RPCC provides the epidemiological infrastructure and data management expertise that underpins the pediatric cancer surveillance system.
• Universidad del VallemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversidad del Valle is an academic partner in the VIGICÁNCER project, with faculty members contributing to research and data analysis. Dr. Luis Eduardo Bravo serves as both Director of RPCC and Professor Emeritus at Universidad del Valle.
• Hospital Universitario del VallemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA key clinical partner where pediatric oncology services are provided and where VIGICÁNCER data is collected. The hospital hosts the annual educational jornadas on drepanocitosis.
• Fundación Valle del LilimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA major pediatric oncology center in Cali that participates in VIGICÁNCER surveillance and where several POHEMA team members (Dr. Viviana Lotero, Dr. Diego Valencia, Dr. María Ximena Castro) practice. The foundation provides clinical data and research collaboration.
• Centro Médico ImbanacomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA key healthcare institution where multiple POHEMA team members (Dr. Oscar Ramírez, Dra. Margarita Quintero, Dra. Luz Ángela Urcuqui) practice. Hosts educational events and serves as a center for clinical care and research.
• Clínica FarallonesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating healthcare institution in the VIGICÁNCER surveillance network, providing pediatric oncology data for the Cali cancer registry.
• Clínica SantillanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating healthcare institution in the VIGICÁNCER surveillance network.
• FUNCANCERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in the VIGICÁNCER surveillance network contributing pediatric oncology data.
• Secretaría Departamental y de SaludmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian health authority that receives VIGICÁNCER surveillance data to inform public health policy and pediatric cancer control strategies.
• Keyra Grace FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the NAVIGUÍA program, which trains healthcare professionals as navigators for childhood cancer patients. The Keyra Grace Foundation supports professional training and capacity building in pediatric cancer care navigation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Fundación Colombiana de Leucemia y Linfoma: Colombian non-profit focused on hematologic cancers in adults and pediatric patients. Comparable as a Colombian regional non-profit supporting patients with blood cancers, education, and advocacy — adjacent mission space to POHEMA's pediatric focus.

Direct peers

• Registro Poblacional de Cáncer de Cali (RPCC): Cali's population-based cancer registry operating continuously since 1962 and the institutional host of VIGICÁNCER. Highly comparable as the data-infrastructure partner with which POHEMA co-produces pediatric cancer surveillance outputs in Colombia.
• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: U.S. non-profit focused on pediatric cancer research funding and education. Comparable to POHEMA in the non-profit pediatric cancer space, blending research grants, professional education, and patient/family information resources.
• ACHOP - Asociación Colombiana de Hematología y Oncología Pediátrica: Colombian professional society of pediatric hematologists/oncologists. POHEMA members serve in ACHOP leadership and co-organize the annual national congress — making ACHOP the closest professional/community peer in pediatric hematology-oncology in Colombia.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: U.S. non-profit funding pediatric cancer research and family support. Comparable as a donation-funded pediatric cancer non-profit that combines research grants, family services, and awareness — the same hybrid model POHEMA operates in Colombia.

Broad incumbents

• International Union Against Cancer (UICC): Largest international cancer-control membership organization. Already an active strategic partner of POHEMA through VIGICÁNCER endorsement; comparable in operating as a global convener and capacity-builder in cancer control, including pediatric oncology.
• Children's Oncology Group: International cooperative research organization running the largest pediatric cancer clinical trials network. Comparable to POHEMA in its pediatric oncology research and professional community focus, but operates at global scale rather than national Colombian scale.
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: The leading global pediatric cancer research and treatment hospital. Although vastly larger and U.S.-based, it is comparable as a non-profit dedicated to pediatric cancer outcomes research, professional training, and family support services — the same mission space POHEMA occupies at smaller scale.
• Childhood Cancer International: Global umbrella network of childhood cancer parent/patient organizations across 90+ countries. Comparable to POHEMA's POHEMA Contigo and Versitos de Vida programs in providing family support, advocacy, and community education for children with cancer.

Others

• Sanofi Espoir Foundation - My Child Matters: Corporate foundation program funding pediatric cancer initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. Already POHEMA's primary funder; comparable as the upstream ecosystem enabler that channels philanthropic capital to pediatric cancer programs of POHEMA's type.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/POHEMA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pohema

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fundación POHEMA