With the aim of addressing common educational needs of the cancer advocacy community, the Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks (WECAN) held the first WECAN Academy from 6-9 July 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany.

“WECAN aims to increase collaboration, alignment and mutual support between pan-European cancer patient umbrella organisations. A key area where we join forces is in the systematic and continued education of our patient advocates, to ensure they are fully equipped to lead in evidence-based advocacy. We are extremely pleased to have hosted our first WECAN Academy, which was very successful and offered a comprehensive training programme for  both new and existing patient advocates. It will serve as a great model to develop into the future,” outlined Ananda Plate, chair of WECAN and CEO of Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE).

During the WECAN Academy, more than 100 European patient advocates were trained in advocacy tools and skills and on topics such as healthcare systems, policy and access, research and data.

The WECAN Academy combined two key capacity building programmes for patient advocates:

• WECAN Smart Start: Starting and Building a National Non-Profit Patient Group focusing on training for “beginners” in patient advocacy
• WECAN Masterclass on Patient Advocacy focusing on training for experienced patient advocacy leaders

Find in this link the all presentations given at the WECAN Academy 2019 and additional resources.

About WECAN

The Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks (WECAN) is workgroup of 22 European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks. WECAN aims to collaborate, align and develop joint projects of the European cancer patient community towards all stakeholders, and to provide a resource for the participants and external organisations. WECAN is not a legal entity and does not receive any funding from any third party. Any activity of WECAN is funded and implemented by the participating patient organisations.
See www.wecanadvocate.eu