The Public Day of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 opened in Brussels with a powerful and forward-looking session titled Our vision for global bladder cancer advocacy. Led by Lori Funk-Cirefice (President, World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition & President, Cancer Vessie France), Michelle Colero (Vice-President, World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition & Executive Director, Bladder Cancer Canada), and Alex Filicevas (Executive Director,
News & Events Category: Engaging in Advocacy
Mastering the essentials of strong organisational leadership
During Advocates Day at the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 in Brussels, participants took part in an interactive workshop called “Mastering the essentials of strong organisational leadership.” The session was led by Benita Lipps, CEO & Founder of Novya, and focused on helping patient organisations strengthen their management and daily work while staying true to their mission.
Benita began by sharing a reality many organisations face today: less funding,
Advancing patient voices in Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
On Advocates Day at the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 in Brussels, participants joined a two-part session, “Advancing patient voices in Health Technology Assessment,” led by Dr Anke-Peggy Holtorf (HTAi Board Member). The morning presentation set the scene: HTA is a multidisciplinary process used to determine the value of health technologies (diagnostics, medicines, devices, procedures) to inform fair, efficient decisions in health systems. Dr Anke-Peggy Holtorf underlined the momentum created by the recent global push for social participation in health policy,
Strengthening your voice: how to advocate with purpose and power
On Advocates Day at the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 in Brussels, participants joined an interactive workshop titled “Strengthening your voice: how to advocate with purpose and power.” Led by Niccola Scocchi, Head of the Brussels Office, and Alex King, Head of Health at Fourtold, the session explored the key principles of effective advocacy and how patient advocates can make their voices heard with clarity and impact.
BCLEAR project kicks off to advance bladder cancer literacy in Europe
Today, together with partners from across Europe, we met for the official kick-off meeting of BCLEAR: Bladder Cancer Literacy for All: Advancing Knowledge and Care in Europe.
This event was kindly hosted by the Hungarian Permanent Representation to the European Union. Co-funded by the European Union, this three-year initiative brings together the patient community, urologists, family doctors, academia and public health experts with a shared mission to improve bladder cancer literacy and reduce inequalities in access to information and care across the region.
Bringing the Patient Voice to the IBCG Annual Retreat
For the second year in a row, WBCPC participated in the International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) Annual Retreat in Houston, Texas, USA. At this meeting, global experts came together to advance consensus on clinical practice, toxicity grading, biomarkers, patient-reported outcomes, and future directions in bladder cancer care.
Bringing the international patient perspective, WBCPC Executive Director Alex Filicevas joined a panel discussion alongside our USA colleagues from BCAN to share reflections on the discussions held throughout the meeting.
WBCPC Annual Report 2024
We have released our 2024 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive look into a year of global expansion, deepening impact, and powerful patient-led advocacy. From the launch of a new community platform to the most engaging awareness campaign to date, the coalition’s work continues to elevate the voices of people affected by bladder cancer worldwide.
2024 at a glance:
- 62 countries took part in Bladder Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM)
- 12+ million people reached,
Launch of the MEP interest group on continence health: Reflections on a new chapter
On June 4, 2025, the Urge to Act campaign launched the MEP Interest Group on Continence Health at a breakfast meeting hosted by MEP Maria Walsh. The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition attended the meeting, where Prof Philip Van Kerrebroeck, Vice-Chair of the EAU Policy Office, formally presented the new Interest Group. Patient advocates, medical professionals and policymakers were also present to underscore the urgency of addressing continence health across the EU.
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan mid-term review: Key takeaways
On May 27, 2025, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety convened a webinar to review progress on the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Hosted by Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, the event brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers and patient advocates.
The webinar highlighted that almost 40% of cancer cases in Europe could be prevented through vaccination programmes and healthier lifestyles. A budget of €300 million under the EU4Health programme has enabled Member States to expand human papillomavirus and hepatitis B vaccination campaigns and to roll out breast,
20th anniversary of MEPs against cancer: Reflections on two decades of action
On May 22, 2025, the MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) group marked its 20th anniversary at the European Parliament. The event was hosted by MAC Chair MEP Romana Jerković, alongside Vice-Chairs MEP Loucas Fourlas and MEP Tilly Metz, and supported by the Association of European Cancer Leagues, which provides the group’s secretariat.
The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition participated in the event, which brought together policymakers, national and regional cancer leagues,
