Patient Advocacy: CCI Europe members in WECAN Academy 2026

From 25-28 June 2026, representatives from the CCI Europe team and several CCI Europe member organisations participated in this year's WECAN Academy, organised by the Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks (WECAN), in Gdańsk, Poland. The Academy brought together patient advocates from around the world for a programme focused on sharing experience, developing practical skills and exchanging knowledge in cancer patient advocacy.

WECAN Academy is a patient advocacy training programme centred on sharing experience and expertise in cancer patient advocacy, bringing together advocates from around the world whose diverse perspectives make the event both inspiring and educational. Participation in the Academy reflects CCI Europe’s commitment to strengthening the knowledge and skills of patient advocates, enabling them to better represent the needs of children and adolescents with cancer, survivors, and their families.

The 2026 WECAN Academy featured presentations and interactive workshops covering topics such as drug development, advocacy, ethics, artificial intelligence, finance and sustainability, research, NGO governance and management, health economics, communication, evidence-based advocacy, and more. The programme is designed to strengthen the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills of patient advocates, enabling them to drive meaningful change within their organisations and healthcare systems.

The training was split into two tracks: SmartStart, for new and emerging patient advocates, and Masterclass, for experienced advocates looking to further develop their skills. Both were structured around three core pillars:

• Advocacy tools and skills: including project management, NGO governance, finance, and organisational leadership.
• Healthcare systems, policy, and access: covering topics such as regulatory processes, patients’ rights, health policy, and EU regulation.
• Research and data: focusing on how to conduct studies, understand evidence, and interpret scientific research.

For the CCI Europe community members participating in the Academy, the programme offered an opportunity to learn from advocates from different countries, exchange experiences and bring new knowledge and approaches back to their organisations and communities.

The 2026 WECAN Academy also created valuable opportunities to build connections across the patient advocacy community. By bringing together advocates with different experiences and perspectives, the Academy fostered collaboration and knowledge exchange while equipping participants with practical tools they can apply directly in their advocacy work.