News & Events Category: Building Community

Save the Date: World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2026 in Hong Kong

We are pleased to announce that the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2026 will take place on September 21–22, in Hong Kong.

Now in its sixth edition, the Forum is the annual meeting point for patient advocates, experts and partners from across the globe. Over two days, participants exchange knowledge, build partnerships and develop ideas that help improve support for people affected by bladder cancer in their own communities.

What does it really take to support someone living with bladder cancer?

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,

Last chance to register for the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 is just around the corner and there’s still time to join us in Brussels (or online) this October.

The Forum is the only global gathering led by and for the bladder cancer patient community. This year, we will meet in Brussels, Belgium, under the patronage of the European Parliament, recognising the importance of patient voices in shaping better bladder cancer care across Europe and beyond.

This year’s Forum brings two days of connection and collaboration:

  • October 13 – Advocates Day: A dedicated day for our member organisations to meet,

Will you join us in Brussels this October?

Join us for the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025, the only global gathering led by and for the bladder cancer patient community. This year, we are meeting in Brussels and you are invited to be part of it!

This year’s Forum brings 2 days of connection and collaboration. 

  • October 13 – Advocates Day is dedicated exclusively to our member organisations.
  • Mark your calendar for October 14,

World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025: Explore the agenda and join us in Brussels

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum returns in 2025, and this year we are bringing the global bladder cancer community together in Brussels for a two-day event. On October 13, we host Advocates Day, a dedicated space for our member organisations to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of the coalition. On October 14, Public Day, patients, carers, advocates, healthcare professionals, and policymakers will gather for a full day of conversations that matter,

CANVES hosts first bladder cancer patient day in Madrid

Today, CANVES (Alianza por el cáncer de vejiga en España) held its first Bladder Cancer Patient Day in Madrid, bringing together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates to share experiences, foster dialogue, and strengthen collaboration.

Representing the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC), Alex Filicevas and Marie Magenhann Cueto joined the event. Alex opened the session by reflecting on the role CANVES played at the 2022 World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum in Madrid,

Connecting with urology professionals at EAU25

Our secretariat team and several WBCPC Board Members attended the European Association of Urology 2025 (EAU25) Congress, held from 21–24 March in Madrid, Spain. At the event, we hosted a booth where we welcomed urologists, allied healthcare professionals, patients, and others to learn more about the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and our member organisations.

Throughout the congress, we had the opportunity to speak with visitors from around the world about the findings from our Global Bladder Cancer Patient &

Building effective partnerships with healthcare professionals

At the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2024, a dynamic panel discussion explored the critical role of collaboration between bladder cancer patient organisations and healthcare professionals. Moderated by Dr Stephanie Demkiw, Co-founder of Bladder Cancer Awareness Australia, the session featured insights from Alex Filicevas, WBCPC Executive Director; Lauren Pretorius, CEO of Campaigning for Cancer and Melanie Costin, a bladder cancer patient and advocate from Fight Bladder Cancer and Adam Lynch,

Celebrating progress: Reflecting on five years of global advocacy for bladder cancer

At the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2024, a fireside chat style conversation featuring Dr Lydia Makaroff, outgoing President of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC), and Alex Filicevas, Executive Director of WBCPC, provided an opportunity to reflect on the Coalition’s achievements over its first five years. The discussion highlighted the progress made in bladder cancer patient advocacy, awareness, and support, while also considering the road ahead.

The coalition, founded in 2019 with three founding members has grown to include 15 organisations across 12 countries today.

Reconnect with highlights from #BladderCancerForum24 in this video

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2024, held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, brought together bladder cancer patient advocates, healthcare professionals, and experts from across the globe.

The first day featured discussions on patient advocacy, healthcare partnerships, and the latest research, sparking meaningful conversations aimed at strengthening the global support network for people affected by bladder cancer. On the second day, the focus shifted to the power of collective action and global collaboration.