European Carers Day 2026: Care does not follow a schedule, flexibility matters.

European Carers Day, an initiative of Eurocarers, is marked every year on October 6 to recognise the millions of people across Europe who care for a family member, friend or neighbour. This year, we join Eurocarers in highlighting a challenge shared by many carers of people affected by bladder cancer: balancing paid work with caring. Last year, our focus was on making migrant care visible, respected and protected.

Care does not follow a schedule

This year’s campaign carries a clear message: “Care doesn’t follow a schedule. Flexibility matters.” Appointments change and care needs can shift at short notice, while workplaces and services often remain rigid. The EU Work-Life Balance Directive gives workers five days of carers’ leave a year and the right to request flexible working, but these rights do not always work in practice.

Eurocarers is calling for practical changes such as flexible hours, remote work, carers’ leave that can be taken in hours and health and care services that fit around working lives.

Why it matters for bladder cancer carers

Bladder cancer is the 9th most common cancer worldwide, with 614,298 new diagnoses every year (GLOBOCAN 2022). Most people diagnosed (70 to 75%) have non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which often means years of regular check-ups and treatment. Those with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) may need chemotherapy or major surgery, followed by a long recovery at home.

Our Bladder Cancer Patient & Carer Experience Survey found that 91% of carers were affected emotionally, and 71%had been caring for more than a year. One of its ten recommendations calls for better recognition of carers, including paid time off work for caring responsibilities. Flexible working is part of the same picture.

Support for carers

• Newly diagnosed with bladder cancer: first steps and questions to ask the doctor.
• Bladder Cancer Factsheets: plain-language guides to take to appointments, available in several languages.
• Bladder Cancer Caregivers Guidebook: practical guidance from our member Bladder Cancer Canada.
• Our network: find a member organisation near you.

Get involved

Share the campaign using #EuropeanCarersDay and #FlexibilityMatters, and download materials from the European Carers Day campaign page. If you care for someone with bladder cancer, we welcome your experience of balancing work and care at info@worldbladdercancer.org.

On this European Carers Day, we thank all carers for their commitment to people affected by bladder cancer. We will continue to advocate for a Europe where caring and working can go hand in hand.