Statement I 19 May 2025 

We are proud to announce that cancer patients across Europe now have an even stronger ally: 𝗪𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆!

What started 10 years ago as an informal network of powerful pan-European patient organisations, initiated by passionate leaders from the cancer patient community, has now taken a big step forward:

WECAN is now a legally registered Foundation under Dutch law, with a democratically elected Board and amazing Trustees.

It is a true leap forward in our ability to make change happen. Being a legal entity now, WECAN can:
• Build formal partnerships with institutions and funders
• Engage more effectively in European and national policy processes
• Strengthen our structure and governance
• Advocate for our shared vision and amplify our collective voice
• Recruit staff

This new chapter brings greater stability, credibility, and most importantly – impact, while staying grassroots, bottom-up, democratic and member-led.

A huge thank you to all WECAN member organisations, partners and supporters who’ve brought us to this moment. Your energy, ideas, and commitment have made this possible.

This is a major milestone for cancer patient advocacy in Europe—and a powerful example of bottom-up collaboration with long-term vision.

Let’s keep building it together!

#WECANFoundation #StrongerTogether #PatientAdvocacyEurope