World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2024 – Strengthening bladder cancer advocacy and collaboration

The second day of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2024, held on October 2 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, built on the success of the previous day, focusing on the importance of collaboration. It was a day of valuable discussions, global insights, and shared strategies aimed at improving bladder cancer care and support.

By bringing together patient advocates and our member organisations from across the globe, the day highlighted the need for collective action to raise awareness and improve patient outcomes. The event featured presentations from Senegal, Canada, South Africa, and France, showcasing awareness initiatives and their impact in these regions. Additionally, a special fireside chat with Amy Samuel, a bladder cancer patient and advocate from Senegal, explored the personal challenges and triumphs of living with the disease, emphasising the importance of patient stories in driving advocacy efforts. Thoughtful discussions on the progress and future of patient advocacy showed that meaningful change can only be achieved through working together.

A key highlight was the focus on how to better support bladder cancer patients, not only in terms of medical care but also by addressing their emotional and practical needs. Patient advocates from Canada, Brazil, and the UK shared examples of how their programs have positively impacted patients’ lives in their countries. The importance of adapting support to meet patients needs was a recurring theme, reflecting the Forum’s overall emphasis on patient-centered approaches.

The role of policy in advocacy was also a key focus. Advocates discussed how policy changes can improve patient access to care, and an interactive workshop, led by Eva María Ruiz de Castilla, Executive Director of the Latin America Patients Academy, provided practical advice on how to engage with policymakers and influence healthcare systems. This knowledge equips advocates to make further progress in their respective regions.

Participants were also encouraged to look to the future. A collaborative session invited our attendees to envision where bladder cancer advocacy could go over the next five years and how the WBCPC can continue to play a role in supporting these efforts. This forward-looking approach sparked important conversations on how the bladder cancer community can continue to grow and support patients globally and inform the strategic work direction of WBCPC.

Throughout the day, collaboration remained a central theme, particularly in discussions on how to strengthen relationships between patient advocates and healthcare professionals. Attendees discussed the importance of working closely with healthcare providers to create meaningful collaborations that can bridge the gap in patients finding the existing support organisations.

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2024 once again highlighted the value of coming together to share, learn, and collaborate. The discussions and connections made during the Forum will play an important role in shaping the future of bladder cancer advocacy.

Check the WBCPC YouTube Channel for the recording of the event coming soon. The event report will follow, which aims to capture the essence of the Forum discussions. Stay tuned!