EORTC Celebrates 10 Years of World Cancer Research Day
On 23 September, researchers, patient advocates, policymakers and international partners gathered at EORTC Headquarters in Brussels to celebrate the 10th anniversary of World Cancer Research Day (WCRD), observed each year on 24 September.
Hosted by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), the event highlighted the impact of clinical cancer research and the importance of continued collaboration to improve the lives of patients. More than 70 participants attended, including Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain, Honorary President of AECC and its Scientific Foundation, and Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, Honorary President of EORTC.
Left to right – H.E. Dr. Yousef R. Bataineh (Ambassador of Jordan in Belgium), José María Rodríguez Coso (Ambassador of Spain in Belgium) HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan (Honorary President of EORTC-ECRF), Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain (Honorary President of FC/AECC), Ramon Reyes (President, FC/AECC), Professor Benjamin Besse (President EORTC)
A key theme throughout the event was the role patients play in shaping clinical cancer research, from helping researchers understand their needs to participating in studies that improve treatment and quality of life.
Addressing participants, Denis Lacombe, Chief Executive Officer of EORTC, highlighted the importance of independent clinical cancer research in improving patient care.
“World Cancer Research Day reminds us that better cancer care is not always about more treatment, but about the right treatment for the right patient, supported by strong academic clinical cancer research.”
The celebration also marked the launch of a new initiative between EORTC and AECC that will enable AECC-funded researchers to spend time at EORTC Headquarters in Brussels, helping them gain international clinical research experience and build new collaborations.
Left to right – Maria Lamas (CEO Spanish Medicine Agency), Susana Rives (Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain), Jean-Pascal Machiels (Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium), Jens Lehmann (A.O Landeskrankenhaus – Innsbruck Universitaetsklinik, Innsbruck, Austria), Erik Briers (Patient), Marta Puyol (Scientific Director FC/AECC)
The World Cancer Research Day event was streamed live and can be viewed on EORTC’s YouTube channel: Watch the full event.
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