Program Name
“Champions of Prevention” Documentary Screening & The Inaugural European Cancer Literacy Day 2026.
Organisers
Organised and coordinated by InoMed (Centre for Innovation in Medicine), the coordinating body for both the 4P-CAN and CURTAIN EU-funded research initiatives, hosted at the WHO Representation Office to the European Union.
What is it?
A pan-European hybrid initiative and event marking Europe’s very first Cancer Literacy Day. The observance establishes a permanent annual movement across Europe to advance equitable access to understandable, trustworthy, and culturally appropriate cancer information, directly supporting the goals of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission.
To launch the inaugural Cancer Literacy Day, InoMed is hosting a flagship event in Brussels combining documentary storytelling, community sports, and public health policy.
“Champions of Prevention” Film Screening
At the center of the 14 October launch event is the premiere of Champions of Prevention, a 15-minute documentary directed by Lars Grote (Shift Videoproductions).
The film follows Bogdan, a former footballer participating in the Lerești Living Lab in Romania-a community initiative under the 4P-CAN research project. The documentary illustrates how walking football and shared sports experiences create accessible, familiar spaces to open everyday conversations about health, build community connection, and make cancer prevention feel attainable for everyone.
Event Panel Agenda & Key Speakers
Following the 15-minute film screening, an interactive, multi-sector panel will connect local community storytelling to European research and health policy:
- Introduction & Panel Moderator: Dr. Marius Geantă, President of InoMed and coordinator of 4P-CAN, CURTAIN, and the Lerești Living Lab.
- Welcome Address & Panelist: Dr. Oxana Domenti, WHO Representative to the European Union.
- Documentary Director: Lars Grote, Founder of Shift Videoproductions and Director of Champions of Prevention.
- Sports Physiology & Health Research: Prof. Magni Mohr, Pro-Rector for Research at the University of the Faroe Islands (Football is Medicine platform).
- European Sports & Public Affairs: Teodora Pletosu, UEFA GROW (Public Affairs & National Associations Strategic Development).
- Interactive Audience Q&A: A dedicated 30-minute open discussion inviting public health experts, researchers, sports representatives, and patient advocates to share local community insights.
The Broader Movement: Cancer Literacy Day 2026
Cancer literacy is defined as the ability to find, understand, evaluate, and act upon cancer-related information. Low cancer literacy restricts individuals from engaging in prevention, participating in screening programs, or making informed care choices, directly compounding health inequalities.
Envisioned as a recurring annual observance, Cancer Literacy Day brings together a growing coalition of EU-funded projects to reduce cancer inequalities. Supporting network projects currently include:
- 4P-CAN (Personalized Cancer Primary Prevention Research)
- CAREWAY (Cancer Awareness, Resources, and Education Pathways)
- iNTERVENE (Health Literacy for Cancer Prevention and Care)
- BClear (Advancing Bladder Cancer Literacy)
- CLEAR-PC (Prostate Cancer Literacy Resources)
- CHOICE (Breast Cancer Literacy)
Key Details & Event Logistics
- Date & Time: Wednesday, 14 October 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 CEST.
- In-Person Location: WHO Representation Office to the European Union (Residence Palace, Bloc C, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels, Belgium).
- Who Should Participate: Public health professionals, patient advocates, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, sports organizations, and community leaders.
- Official Contact Email: contact@curtainproject.eu
- Project Managers (InoMed): Ruxandra Schitea (ruxandra.schitea@ino-med.ro) and Andreea Dinu (andreea.dinu@ino-med.ro).
Official Links:
Cancer Literacy Day Information
Champions of Prevention Event & Registration
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