WECAN Retreat: A New Chapter Begins

Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE), as a member of WECAN, participated in the WECAN Retreat—a special occasion marking WECAN’s official establishment as a Foundation, now based in the Netherlands. All 24 pan-cancer member organizations gathered to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and tackle key challenges related to the sustainability and governance of patient organizations.

The retreat featured collaborative group work and brainstorming sessions aimed at identifying best practices and synergies to elevate the visibility and impact of WECAN. Discussions focused on establishing realistic goals that serve both member organizations and the broader cancer community. Project updates were shared, including progress on EuroACT, the Academy, and EBA initiatives.

Key Messages:

• • Empowering and educating patients and advocates is crucial for meaningful and effective engagement.

• • Cross-organizational collaboration enhances collective impact, both within and beyond the patient advocacy community.

“Brace Yourself for Impact” – WECAN and ECHoS Synergy Workshop

The retreat also featured a workshop titled “Brace Yourself for Impact: Impact Model for Quality of Life and Survivorship”. Opening with an overview of the ECHoS Impact Models, the session included a patient advocacy lens on impact assessment and mapped key survivorship concerns including:

• • Long-term effects of cancer and treatment

• • Sense of normality

• • Relationships

• • Mental well-being

• • Financial stability

• • Autonomy

Participants engaged in group exercises to explore pathways to impact, discover opportunities and synergies, and discuss unexpected outcomes. The workshop concluded with a collective refinement of the impact model and planning for next steps.

Key Message: To succeed, our concepts, methods, and tools must be truly fit for purpose.

Launch of the Polish Cancer Mission Hub and EU Cancer Mission Fair

The three-day event that followed marked a major milestone with the official launch of the Polish Cancer Mission Hub. Held alongside the Warsaw Oncology Conference and the first-ever EU Cancer Mission Fair, the event aimed to advance the EU Mission on Cancer, both in Poland and across Europe.

LuCE, along with other WECAN members, attended the event and took part in meaningful conversations and networking with stakeholders across research, healthcare, industry, and advocacy.

Day 1: Focused on the strategic role of the new Polish Cancer Mission Hub. Through high-level panel discussions, speakers explored how the Hub can:

• • Support both national and EU cancer strategies through coordinated efforts.

• • Turn scientific research into real-world solutions via broader participation.

• • Advance patient-centered healthcare by improving quality and access.

• • Foster sustainable innovation in cancer care through cross-sector collaboration.

Day 2: Centered around citizen and patient engagement. The EU Cancer Mission Fair included the launch of the ECO European Cancer Pulse Country Report for Poland and featured hands-on exhibits and interactive sessions. Topics included:

• • Public involvement in national cancer strategies

• • Patient engagement in research and healthcare education

• • Quality of life improvements through community-led innovation

Day 3: Highlighted EU-wide collaboration and exchange of knowledge across national hubs. Two core sessions were held:

• • Prevention and Early Detection: Presentations from EU-funded initiatives such as PROPHET, Can.Heal, TOGAS, ONCODIR, 4PCAN, and EUCAIM.

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  • Quality of Life: A dedicated session on reorienting cancer care towards survivorship, well-being, and patient-centered innovation.