On World Cancer Day, 4 February 2026, the world comes together for one purpose: to improve cancer care—everywhere.

Oncothon 2026: 24 Hours to Improve Cancer Care is a global, 24-hour digital telethon organized by OncoDaily in collaboration with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). It is designed to mobilize worldwide attention, leadership, and funding to strengthen cancer control across health systems—particularly where the gaps are greatest.

For 24 continuous hours, global health leaders, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, patient advocates, and industry partners will convene across time zones to confront the most urgent challenges in cancer care and spotlight scalable solutions. Discussions will span the full cancer continuum—from early detection and diagnosis to treatment access, workforce development, and health system infrastructure.

Despite scientific progress, millions of people worldwide still lack access to timely diagnosis, quality treatment, and essential cancer services. Oncothon 2026 exists to close that gap—by converting global awareness into tangible investment.

Funds raised during Oncothon 2026 will directly support UICC member organizations in strengthening the continuum of oncology care, including:Pathology and diagnostic capacity; Cancer and donor registries and health information systems; Workforce education and training; People-centred cancer care models; Access to essential medicines and life-saving technologies; Every contribution fuels practical, locally driven solutions that improve outcomes and build sustainable cancer systems.

Oncothon 2026 serves as a launchpad—amplifying the work of UICC members and enabling them to scale impact nationally and regionally. The result: stronger health systems, smarter investment, and better cancer care for millions of people worldwide.

For 24 hours, the world’s attention turns to cancer care.

Oncothon: 24 Hours to Improve Cancer Care

SPEAKERS

Images	Name
	Akira Nakagawara (Japan) Chairman of the Executive Council of the Asian Pacific Hematology and Oncology Group (APHOG)
	Cesare Spadoni (Italy) Founder, Chief Operating Officer of OncoHeroes Biosciences
	CS Pramesh (India) Director of Tata Memorial Hospital, Convener for the National Cancer Grid Board Member for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
	Khaled Ghanem (Syria) Medical Director, BASMA Pediatrics Oncology Unit, Damascus
	Gonzalo López Cuevas (Mexico) Treasurer of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
	Ricardo Garcia (USA) Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Member of the Board of Directors, OncoHeroes Biosciences
	Richard Sullivan (UK) Director, Institute of Cancer Policy Co-Director, Centre for Conflict and Health Research at King's College London
	Shushan Hovsepyan (Armenia) Editor-in-Chief, OncoDaily Medical Journal Co-Chair SIOP GHN Research and Innovation working group Innovation and Development Director, Immune Oncology Research Institute Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology and Pediatric Oncology, Yerevan State Medical University Senior VP of P53 Inc. (OncoDaily, CancerWorld)
	Tezer Kutluk (Turkey) Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Oncology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine and Cancer Institute Past-President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Past-President of the European Cancer Leagues (ECL)
	Alberto Costa (Italy) Chief Executive Officer, European School of Oncology
	Miriam Mutebi (Kenya) Breast Surgical Oncologist, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital
	Robert P. Gale (USA) Emmy award-winning hematologist, Editor-in-chief of Leukemia
	Lawrence Faulkner (Italy) Medical Director, Cure2Children Foundation, Florence-Italy, and Sankalp India Foundation, Bangalore-India Consultant, DKMS Group, Tübingen-Germany Chair, Outreach Subcommittee, Pediatric Diseases Working Party - European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group
	Rakesh Jalali (India) Medical Director, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) Professor and Head, Dept of Radiation Oncology Senior Consultant & Lead, Neuro Oncology Cancer Management Team (CMT) Chair, Senior Advisory Council, Indian Society of Neuro Oncology (ISNO) President-Elect, Asian Society for Neuro Oncology (ASNO) President, Immuno-Oncology Society of India (IOSI)
	Rob Pieters (The Netherlands) President, International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Chief Maxima International, Executive Committee, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
	Eric Bouffet (Canada) Director, Paediatric  Neuro-Oncology Program at The Hospital for Sick Children Vice President, French African Group of Paediatric Oncology (GFAOP) Member of the Board of Director, UICC Chair, My Child Matters Expert Committee
	Julie R. Gralow (USA) Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Association for Clinical Oncology
	Asem Mansour (Jordan) Chief Executive Officer/Director General, King Hussein Cancer Center Board Member, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
	Gilberto Lopes (USA) Chief of the Medical Oncology Division, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Board Member, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Chair, ATOM Coalition Editor-in-Chief emeritus, JCO Global Oncology
	David Kerr (UK) Professor of Cancer Medicine, University of Oxford Board Member, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
	Guillermo Chantada (Argentina) Past President, International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Head Outreach Program, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Scientific Director, Fundacion Perez Scremini
	Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed (Qatar) Scientific Advisor, Head of the Professional Development and Scientific Research Department, Qatar Cancer Society
	Jayasree Iyer (The Netherlands) CEO, Access to Medicine Foundation
	Jennifer Buell (USA) Chairman, Executive Council, and Director, Agenus President and CEO, MiNK Therapeutics
	Marion Saville (Australia) Executive Director, Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer
	Todd Harper (Australia) Director, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) CEO, Cancer Council Victoria Chair, NCD Alliance Grant Oversight Sub-Committee
	Ulrika Årehed Kågström (Sweden) President, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Secretary General, Swedish Cancer Society/Cancerfonden Chairman, Swedish Arts Council/Kulturrådet Board Member, NCU (Nordic Cancer Union)
	Gevorg Tamamyan (Armenia) Editor-in-chief, OncoDaily CEO, Immune Oncology Research Institute President, International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Asia Continental Branch President, Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group
	Andre Ilbawi (USA) Technical Lead for Cancer Control, World Health Organization (WHO)
	Cary Adams (Switzerland) Chief Executive Officer, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
	Carolina Goic Boroevic (Chile) Executive Director, Center for Cancer Prevention and Control (CECAN), Chile
	Ikram Eseghir (Morocco) Founder and President, NABD-BC2
	Christopher Jackson (New Zealand) Co-lead, Cancer National Clinical Network Board Member, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
	Stephen D. Nimer (USA) Director, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Executive Dean for research, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
	Maria de San Martin (Argentina) Executive Director, Donde Quiero Estar Foundation
	Ching-Tien Peng (Taiwan) Professor of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology China Medical University Children’s Hospital (CMUCH) Board Member, Taiwan Childhood Cancer Foundation Executive Board Member, Taiwan Society of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology SIOP Asia Ambassador Council Member, Asia-Pacific Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis Former President, Taiwan Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis Former Superintendent of CMUCH
	Hana Chaar Choueib (Lebanon) General Manager, Children's Cancer Center Lebanon (CCCL) Member of the Board of Directors, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
	Emily Barsito (Kenya) Head of Directorate: Strategy, Planning, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, National Cancer Institute of Kenya
	Loizos Loizou (Cyprus) SIOP Europe Ambassador for Children with Cancer Professor at Medical School of University of Nicosia
	Kathleen Schmeler (USA) Associate Vice President, Global Oncology, Cancer Network Board Member for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)