18 October 2025 .Berlin , Germany
Building Community, EVENTS

WECAN marks its 10th anniversary in Berlin

On October 18, the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition joined more than 90 cancer-patient advocacy leaders in Berlin to celebrate the 10th anniversary of WECAN – the Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks. The anniversary gathering recognised a decade of collaboration and capacity-building among European umbrella patient organisations.

WECAN serves as a pan-European network of more than 20 umbrella cancer patient-advocacy organisations, which together represent thousands of patient groups across the WHO Europe region.Its mission is to build trust, alignment and mutual support in the cancer patient advocacy community, and to provide a coordinated voice toward policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders.

The celebration was opened by WECAN Chair and WBCPC Executive Director, Alex Filicevas, who reflected on key milestones since the founding of WECAN in 2015 and the network’s development into the WECAN Foundation in 2025.

«WECAN was created to give patient organisations a stronger collective voice and to build the skills, alignment and structures needed to strengthen cancer advocacy across Europe and ultimately making a positive impact on the lives of people affected by cancer

Alex Filicevas, WECAN Chair and WBCPC Executive Director

The evening programme also featured video messages from Dr Silke Launert, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, and Kathy Redmond, WECAN Chair of Trustees. Both recognised WECAN’s role in supporting patient-led collaboration and strengthening the voice of cancer patient advocates in policy and research.

The event included a panel discussion, “WECAN Shape Europe’s Cancer Care Future Together” moderated by Jan Geissler and featuring Gilliosa Spurrier Bernard (Melanoma Patients Network Europe), Hugo Soares (ECHoS Project), Madeline Pe (EORTC), Marzia Zambon (Europa Donna), and Wafae Iraqi (Johnson & Johnson). The discussion highlighted the next phase of collaboration between cancer patient organisations, focusing on the continued development of structured education and evidence-based advocacy.

Training and education remain a central part of WECAN work through the WECAN Academy, which offers dedicated learning programmes for both new and experienced patient advocates.

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition joined WECAN as a member in 20 and continues to contribute actively to its shared efforts to build capacity and strengthen the cancer patient voice in Europe.

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