As healthcare policy, clinical research, and patient-centred care rapidly evolve, staying informed about global advocacy milestones is essential for patient leaders, survivors, and healthcare advocates.
This autumn features a comprehensive suite of international opportunities categorized by training programs, policy events, and research surveys.
1. Training Opportunities
EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme (PETP) – Cohort 10
- Organiser: European Patients’ Academy on Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI).
- Overview: The gold standard in patient advocacy education, this 12–14 month blended learning program covers the full lifecycle of medicines research and development (RandD)—from non-clinical research and clinical trials to regulatory approval and Health Technology Assessment (HTA). Graduates earn the certified title of EUPATI Fellow.
- Key Dates: Registration deadline is 1 November 2026. Mandatory webinars and events take place between March and October 2027.
Progress for Patients (Friends of Cancer Research)
- Organiser: Friends of Cancer Research.
- Overview: An online advocacy education program and learning community designed to give patients, advocates, and caregivers the necessary tools to understand drug development and regulatory processes. The platform empowers participants to effectively communicate patient perspectives to drug researchers, developers, and regulatory bodies.
- Format and Cost: Self-paced online curriculum, free educational resources, and actionable advocacy submissions.
2. Event Opportunities
High-Level Conference: “The Right to Be Forgotten as a Human Right”
- Organisers: Dr. Françoise Meunier and Prof. Mark Lawler; recognized as an associated event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.
- When and Where: 21 October 2026 (09:30–18:30 CEST) at Fondation Universitaire, Brussels, Belgium.
- Overview: A major European policy conference addressing financial discrimination against cancer survivors—specifically barriers to securing mortgages, loans, and life insurance after cancer.
- Cost and Support: Free of charge (mandatory registration). The organising committee is open to evaluating individual travel support solutions for advocates with financial constraints.
Man Up to Cancer: Men’s Mental Health and Cancer Conference
- Organiser: Man Up to Cancer.
- When and Where: Saturday, 17 October 2026 at The Friday Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA and Virtual Stream.
- Overview: A first-of-its-kind national hybrid conference dedicated exclusively to addressing the unique mental health challenges, emotional isolation, and psychosocial needs of men impacted by cancer.
- Cost and Logistics: Free for individual attendees (includes breakfast and lunch). Located 30 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), with discounted hotel blocks available.
European Cancer Summit 2026
- Organiser: European Cancer Organisation (ECO).
- When and Where: 18–19 November 2026 at The Hotel Brussels, Belgium and Online.
- Overview: Bringing together healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and policymakers around four core policy tracks: Prevention and Early Detection, Research and Digital Innovation, Health System Resilience, and Closing Care Gaps.
- Cost: Reduced registration fees are available for members of patient advocacy organizations and students (€90 special rate / €150 standard rate).
- More.
3. Research and Survey Opportunities
United Colors of Cancer: 1,000 Voices for Cancer Equity™ Campaign
- Organiser: United Colors of Cancer (Founded by Bikira Radcliffe).
- Overview: A national US listening campaign collecting real stories, care barriers, and triumphs from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers to inform the inaugural State of BIPOC Cancer™ Report.
- Timeline and Format: World Cancer Research Day milestone on 24 September 2026, with the survey remaining open through 31 December 2026. Confidential 10–12 minute online survey open to all individuals impacted by cancer.
WECAN CANCERSurvey
- Organisers: Initiated by the WECAN Foundation, executed by EPAI in collaboration with Picker.
- Overview: A cross-sectional, pan-European survey collecting standardized Patient Experience Data (PED) along the full care pathway across 23 overarching cancer types.
- Timeline and Format: Open until 16 November 2026. Takes approximately 25 minutes to complete and is available in 15 European languages for adult cancer patients and caregivers in Europe.
MedUni Vienna Delphi Survey: Peer-Led Cancer Prevention for Women
- Organiser: Community Health Lab and Study Team, Medical University of Vienna.
- Overview: A multi-round online Delphi survey evaluating how female Community Health Ambassadors and peer workers can deliver accessible cancer prevention information to women with migration backgrounds.
- Format and Audience: Short online consultation in English and German. Open globally to public health professionals, peer workers, community leaders, and individuals with lived or practical experience.
- Take the Delphi Survey Here.
Acute Leukemia Global Survey 2026
- Organisers: Acute Leukemia Advocates Network (ALAN) and Picker.
- Overview: An international survey measuring real-world care experiences and quality-of-life impact for individuals and families affected by acute leukemia.
- Format: Confidential 20–30 minute online survey featuring distinct question sets for patients (18+) and caregivers, available in 16 languages.
