WBCPC Annual Report 2023

We are excited to announce the release of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition Annual Report 2023, marking our fifth anniversary as a global coalition. This report highlights our achievements, milestones, and the positive impact we’ve made over the past year and reflect on the past five years.

Since our founding in 2019, we have now united 15 patient organisations across six continents, working together to improve the lives of those affected by bladder cancer worldwide. In 2023, we welcomed two new member organisations—One Community from Malawi and VICARE from Argentina – extending our network’s reach and strengthening our global presence.

The past year has been a landmark one, with significant achievements, including:

• Global outreach: Our website saw over 150,000 visitors – a 297% increase from 2022. This growth signifies our expanding influence and the critical role our online hub plays in providing information, support, and advocacy resources to those affected by bladder cancer to guide them to local resources of our member organisations where they do exist.
• World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2023: Held in Madrid, Spain, the Forum gathered over 100 attendees from 26 countries in person and online. This unique event continues to foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, and discussions on addressing the key challenges faced by the global bladder cancer community.
• Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2023: Our campaign, themed “Feeling Unsure? Get Checked” encouraged people to reassess their symptoms and seek medical attention. A key feature of this campaign was the launch of the Unsure Icon, a visual element designed to symbolise uncertainty and prompt people to reconsider symptoms they might otherwise ignore. The icon became a recognisable symbol, uniting the global bladder cancer community. The campaign achieved remarkable success, with a 175% increase in social media engagement compared to the previous year and over 11 million people reached globally.
• Capacity-Building Initiatives: We held two capacity-building sessions focusing on awareness walks and fundraising. These initiatives empowered our member organisations with the knowledge and tools to expand their local efforts and impact.

Our Annual Report also reflects on our collective progress over the past five years. From our first virtual meetings to in-person gatherings, our journey has been one of growth, collaboration, and solid commitment to supporting bladder cancer patients and their families. We are deeply grateful to our members, partners, and supporters for their continued support.

Download the Annual Report 2023 below to explore our key initiatives, insights, and the inspiring work of our global community. And if you haven’t yet, we hope this report will motivate you to join us in our mission to ensure better care, support, and advocacy for people affected by bladder cancer worldwide.