Connecting Survivors: The EU-CAYAS-NET Project and Its Impact Across Europe
In Europe, there are around 500,000 survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer. While survival rates have improved over the years, many young survivors continue to face significant long-term challenges. These challenges are related to physical health, mental well-being, education, career development, and navigating inequitable health care systems across different countries.
The European Network of Youth Cancer Survivors (EU-CAYAS-NET) was created to address these challenges and support survivors in their life after cancer. This multidisciplinary, international project was built on collaboration, co-creation, and knowledge exchange, aiming to improve quality of life and empower young survivors throughout Europe.
Why EU-CAYAS-NET matters
Every young person affected by cancer deserves the best possible care and support, not only during treatment, but also long after it ends. Survivorship brings unique challenges that often remain unaddressed. EU-CAYAS-NET sought to close these gaps by bringing together survivors, parents, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals to create meaningful change.
What was CCI Europe’s role
As project coordinator, CCI Europe played a key role in establishing and guiding the EU-CAYAS-NET initiative. Its main contributions included:
- Building the partnership network: a major achievement was the launch of the Youth Cancer Survivor Ambassador Program, which brought together 55 survivor advocates from 29 countries to exchange experiences, raise awareness, and amplify the voices of young cancer survivors across Europe.
- Developing resources on key survivorship themes: together with survivors and experts, we created materials on Quality of Life, Mental Health & Psychosocial Care, Education & Career Support, Transition, and Late Effects & Long-Term Follow-Up (LTFU) Care.
- Sharing knowledge and ensuring sustainability: CCI Europe was responsible for communicating the project’s progress and outcomes to the wider community and for designing a sustainability plan to ensure that the results and resources continue to be used beyond the project’s lifetime.
Outcomes and resources
The EU-CAYAS-NET project produced a wide range of outcomes, tools, and resources to support young cancer survivors, their families, advocates, and professionals across Europe. Available resources can be accessed online, and the Outcomes Video provides further insight into the project’s impact.
Looking ahead
The EU-CAYAS-NET project has shown what is possible when survivors and stakeholders come together to co-create solutions. By connecting young cancer survivors across borders and equipping them with resources, knowledge, and a strong network, we are moving closer to a future where every survivor can thrive.
These efforts will continue in YARN, which builds on EU-CAYAS-NET and OACCUs, supporting survivors through peer support, information sharing, and the development and dissemination of resources.
At CCI Europe, we are proud to be part of this journey and we remain committed to ensuring that survivorship remains a priority on the European agenda.