Governance
WECAN provides a forum to discuss how and when to collaborate, to share workload and involve one another. WECAN is not a legal entity but an informal network. As an informal network, WECAN retains its independence. The network is governed by a formal governance document which mandates principles around membership and operations.
This guidance is in place to support members and the community in aligning with WECAN’s mission to act as a well-coordinated cancer patient community by building trust, collaboration, alignment and mutual support.
The network, its initiatives, and members are supported by an appointed Chair and Coordination Team. The WECAN Chair is a rotating position held for one year. Each year WECAN members appoint the Chair to represent WECAN externally, ensure that WECAN principles, such as the principle of subsidiarity, are respected, and align the WECAN strategy.
Informal Network
Informal Network
In order to maintain its independence, WECAN is not a legal entity but an informal network.
WECAN Members
WECAN Members
To avoid repetition and burden of meetings, each WECAN member is represented in the network by two named representatives.
Coordination Team
Coordination Team
The WECAN Coordination Team consists of the WECAN Chair, Past Chair, coordinators, and any other interested WECAN members.
Funding
Because WECAN is an informal network and not a legal entity, we cannot directly receive any funding. Funding for WECAN projects, initiatives, workgroups, or programmes is coordinated by individual organisations associated with WECAN. After approval of a new project by the network, fundraising, contracts with funders and external contractors, project administration, project reporting and delivery of any WECAN project, initiative or work programme can be provided by a WECAN member organisation or another administrative host mandated by WECAN.
Coordination Team
The WECAN Coordination Team consists of the Chair, Past Chair, WECAN Coordinators and other interested WECAN members. The purpose of the WECAN Coordination team is to provide necessary coordination and administrative functions in order to promote the smooth operation of WECAN in line with the mission and goals.

Hans Scheurer
WECAN Chair
2022 – Present

Jan Geissler
Past Chair
2021- 2022

Gilly Spurrier
Past Chair
2020-2021

Ananda Plate
Past Chair
2019-2020

Alfonso Aguarón
Lung Cancer
Europe

Katie Rizvi
Youth Cancer
Europe

Rachel Giles
International Kidney
Cancer Coalition

Sara Dederichs
European Patient
Advocacy Institute

Ana Amariutei
European Patient
Advocacy Institute