Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK shared a on LinkedIn:
“We were excited to participate in the kick-off meeting of ECHoS Phase 2 in Lisbon on 9–11 September 2026! Together with partners from across Europe, we look forward to five more years of collaboration to bring the EU Cancer Mission closer to patients and local communities.
Coordinated by AICIB – Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation Agency and bringing together 61 organisations from 29 countries, ECHoS – Establishing of Cancer Mission Hubs: Beyond Networks and Synergies supports National Cancer Mission Hubs in translating European priorities into actions that improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
Central to this effort is the penta-helix approach: bringing together academia, healthcare professionals, industry, policymakers and citizens through the Hubs, with patients and citizens at the centre.
A highlight was ELLOK’s participation with Katerina Nikitara in the public session ‘National Cancer Mission Hubs: Bridging Regional Gaps, Accelerating Local Impact’ on 10 September, co-moderated by Michele Calabro’ from EUREGHA – European Regional and Local Health Authorities and Kyle Galea from ERRIN.
The session explored how the Hubs can work more closely with regions, local communities and research and innovation ecosystems to address regional inequalities and translate the EU Cancer Mission into meaningful local action.
Our contribution highlighted several priorities:
- Local communities are crucial. Their close connection with patients and families helps them recognise challenges, make problems visible, understand their underlying causes and contribute to practical solutions. Their experience should help shape priorities and actions.
- Collaboration across stakeholder groups must be systematic and meaningful, built on mutual respect and recognition of the knowledge and experience each participant brings.
- Inclusivity requires diverse voices within each stakeholder group, ensuring that different experiences, needs and circumstances are represented.
- Empowering local communities means providing the knowledge, skills, opportunities and support they need to engage actively and influence decisions affecting patients and their families.
Through the Hellenic Cancer Mission Hub, ELLOK is committed to supporting this approach in Greece, strengthening collaboration and helping shape actions grounded in scientific evidence and people’s values and priorities.
Thank you to the coordinators, moderators and fellow panellists.”
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