The Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks (WECAN) was established in 2015 when 15 umbrella cancer patient advocacy organizations came together to initiate the informal network. WECAN was born out of the true need for the cancer patient community to share experiences and work together. Its formation stemmed from recognising the impact that such a collaboration could bring to the European cancer community and to their member organizations.

WECAN now brings together over 20 umbrella cancer patient advocacy organizations active in Europe. As WECAN grows, and new members join the network, there are further opportunities to be realised. Through learning from shared experiences and continued collaboration, WECAN continues to grow and present exciting opportunities for the cancer patient community.

Being a WECAN member means opportunities to collaborate, to learn and to grow together. The WECAN community supports:

• Bringing knowledge to the community of specific cancer fields
• Collaborating on ideas and initiatives
• Sharing best – and worst – practice
• Providing – and receiving – support within the WECAN community
• Working towards better synergy to avoid duplication of effort and resource
• Providing and responding to opportunities for education and training
• Sharing feedback and information from committees and events with the WECAN community, listening from a WECAN perspective and bringing information back to WECAN

To improve the outcomes for all cancer patients by acting as a well-coordinated cancer patient community towards all stakeholders by building levels of trust, collaboration, alignment and mutual support between pan-European cancer patient umbrella organisations, on the principle of subsidiarity.