How CANVES became Spain’s first bladder cancer support group

Starting a bladder cancer support group can feel overwhelming, but with the right resources and a clear vision, it’s possible to create lasting change. One such success story comes from Spain, where CANVES (Alianza por el cáncer de vejiga en España) became the country’s first bladder cancer support group.

Laurent Gemenick, Co-Founder of CANVES, reflects on the journey:

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition’s Start-Up Guide played an important role in this journey, providing practical steps to establish the organisation. From defining a vision to gathering volunteers and securing funding, the guide served as a foundation for CANVES to grow into a meaningful and impactful organisation.

CANVES quickly grew from an idea to a national organisation, addressing the urgent need for both medical and emotional support in Spain, where over 23,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed annually. Participation in the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum further strengthened their resolve. At the forum, they connected with global advocates and experts like Dr. Ignacio Durán, who provided valuable guidance.

“Launching CANVES came with challenges,” says Gemenick, “but we learned that collaboration is key. Partnering with healthcare professionals and organisations like WBCPC gave us credibility and access to resources we lacked.”

Today, CANVES is a beacon of hope for bladder cancer patients and their families, offering vital support, raising awareness, and advocating for better outcomes.

The success of CANVES highlights the importance of resources like WBCPC’s Start-Up Guide, which empowers individuals to take the first step in creating change: “The Start-Up Guide showed us the way, but it was the support and encouragement from the global bladder cancer community that truly inspired us to push forward.”

If you’re considering starting a bladder cancer patient group or looking for new ideas to strengthen your efforts, download the updated Start-Up Guide now. The guide includes this inspiring case study on CANVES and other success stories from around the world that will motivate and guide you.