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2018 European Health Award ceremony. (Source: Queen’s University Belfast.)

An Award that honours projects that help to tackle some of Europe’s most pressing health challenges has been presented to the European Cancer Concord (ECC), a pan-European collaboration of which the IBTA is a partner. IBTA Chair Kathy Oliver sits on the ECC’s Executive Committee. The European Health Award was established in 2007 to promote cross-border cooperation, multi-country working and the development of transferable initiatives which address current challenges with Europe such as disparities in health status, access to services and the provision of treatment.

The 2018 award-winning project, entitled ‘The European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights: A Catalyst for Change and an empowerment tool for cancer patients across Europe’ involves an equal partnership between cancer patients, healthcare professionals and cancer researchers.

Working in close partnership with European patient organisations and professional societies has been a key part of the initiative.

One of the key outputs from the research has been the development of a 70:35 Vision: 70 per cent long term survival for all cancer patients across Europe by 2035. Professor Peter Selby, President of ECC and Professor of Cancer Medicine at the University of Leeds said: “Our 70:35 Vision is built upon the pillars of cross-border and interdisciplinary cooperation, sharing best practice and ensuring that research and innovation gets translated for the benefit of patients.

“This is a superb example of how cooperative European activities that involve sharing best practice between countries can result in top class prize-winning initiatives.”

Following news of the announcement, Margaret Grayson, cancer survivor and Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Cancer Research Consumer Forum, said: “The news that the European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights has received a top European award is wonderful. This collaborative initiative has patients absolutely at its centre.”

The IBTA is delighted that the ECC has been recognised and honoured with this prestigious award.

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The European Cancer Concord (ECC) is an equal partnership:

• Professor Peter Selby, University of Leeds, UK and President European Cancer Concord
• Professor Mark Lawler, Queen’s University Belfast, UK and Vice President European Cancer Concord
• Professor Ian Banks, Chair European Cancer Organisation (ECCO) Patient Advocate Committee, Brussels, Belgium and Vice President European Cancer Concord
• Professor Thierry Le Chevalier, Chair, European Cancer Concord Executive Committee, Institut Gustav Roussy, Paris, France
• Professor Francoise Meunier, Director of Special Projects, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
• Kate Law, Director, Lister Institute for Preventative Medicine, London, UK
• Peter Kapitein, President, Inspire2Live, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Dr Tit Albreht, Coordinator of the Joint Action iPAAC, National Institute of Public Health of Slovenia,
• Dr Sakari.Karjalainen, President of the Association of European Cancer Leagues, Helsinki, Finland
• Kathy Oliver, Chair and Co-Director of the International Brain Tumour Alliance, London, UK
• Dr Sarper Diler, President Myeloma Patients Europe, Istanbul, Turkey
• Professor Carlo LaVecchia, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
• Professor Christoph Zielinski, President of the Central European Cooperative Oncology Group, Vienna, Austria.