Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group has been joinlty nominated for this year's European Parliament Citizen's Prize by MEPs Joseph Cuschieri and David Casa.

The national jury that evalauted the nominee was made up of MEPs Claudette Abela Baldacchino, David Casa, Joseph Cuschieri, Roberta Metsola and Marlene Mizzi.

The European Citizen's Prize was launched by the European Parliament in 2008 to recognise exceptional achievements by Europeans, such as activities that facilitate cross-border cooperation within the EU or promote better mutual understanding and closer integration between citizens and member states, or day-to-day activities reflecting the values enshrined in the EU's charter of fundamental rights.

Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group was set up in 2002. As a non-governmental, non-profit making organisation, it aims to represent the needs of children affected by cancer and their families, campaigns for the provision of a coordinated network of care and support, promotes models of good care and practice, supports families, enhances the knowledge and skills of professional carers, and assists affected children by improving the environment in which they are treated, and raises funds.

The Puttinu Cares team and staff help and guide parents to deal with the ordeal ahead, and for this purpose it provides apartment accomodation in the UK for up to six families while their child is receiving treatment.

The European laureates from each member state, including Malta, will be selected by the European Citizen's Prize Chancellery, with the President of the European Parliament sitting as Chancellor.

A public award ceremony will be held at Europe House in Valletta following the Chancellor's award decision.