Dr. Maira Caleffi, Founder and Chair of FEMAMA, Head of the Breast Unit and Prevention Programmes at Hospital Moinhos de Vento in Brazil, and a current member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Board of Directors, has been named a candidate for the UICC Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term.
Dr Caleffi is among 24 candidates running for 14 seats on the UICC Board. The new Board will be elected by UICC full-member organisations as part of the 2026 UICC General Assembly, which will take place virtually on October 20, 2026.
Electronic voting will open on October 13, 2026, and remain open until the General Assembly on October 20. Full-member organisations can vote for up to 14 Board candidates.
Who Is Maira Caleffi?
Maira Caleffi, MD, PhD, is a breast surgeon, healthcare leader, and cancer advocate based in Porto Alegre, Brazil. She earned her PhD from the University of London and completed postdoctoral training in genetics and cancer at Vanderbilt University in the United States.
Her career has focused on improving equitable access across the cancer care continuum, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and supportive care.
Alongside her leadership at FEMAMA and Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Caleffi serves as President of the IGCC Board, Chair of the EAC of IEEPO, a member of the BCCC, and a board member of the Global Surgery Foundation.
Her work has brought together governments, healthcare institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners to strengthen cancer control policies and health systems and expand access to quality cancer care.
Caleffi is also an advocate for incorporating patient perspectives into healthcare policy and decision-making, with a particular focus on reducing disparities in cancer outcomes.
Why Is Maira Caleffi Running for the UICC Board?
In her candidate statement, Caleffi described the election as an opportunity to address persistent inequalities in cancer care at a time of rapid scientific progress.
“I believe this is a pivotal moment for the global cancer community. While advances in science and technology continue to transform cancer care, millions still lack access to timely diagnosis, quality treatment, and supportive care.”
Reflecting on her experience as a breast surgeon, cancer advocate, and health system leader from Latin America, Caleffi highlighted more than two decades of work spanning clinical care, policy, implementation, and patient advocacy, saying that collaboration with governments, civil society, academic institutions, and international organisations has given her experience translating evidence into action and building partnerships that drive sustainable change.
If elected, Caleffi said her priorities would include health equity, patient-centred care, early detection, and implementation within health systems.
“I am committed to ensuring that patient and frontline healthcare professional voices are reflected in global cancer policies and programmes.”
She also emphasised the need to accelerate cancer control efforts where access to care remains limited, stating that her objective is to advance effective cancer control strategies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, while fostering collaboration across regions and disciplines.
Watch Maira Caleffi’s video message outlining her vision and priorities as a candidate for the UICC Board of Directors 2026–2028.
Bringing a Latin American Perspective to the UICC Board
Caleffi also highlighted the perspective she would bring to the Board as a cancer leader from Latin America, where advances in cancer care coexist with substantial inequalities and unmet needs.
“Importantly, I bring the perspective of Latin America, a region with innovation and expertise, but also substantial unmet needs in cancer care. This perspective can contribute meaningfully to UICC’s commitment to equity and global representation.”
She described her experience as combining clinical practice with health system leadership, international collaboration, and patient advocacy, noting that throughout her career she has led multidisciplinary initiatives, built strategic partnerships, and advocated for policies that improve access to care and reduce disparities.
Caleffi also characterised her approach to leadership as one centred on collaboration and implementation.
“My leadership style is collaborative, inclusive, and action-oriented, and I am committed to helping UICC strengthen its role in uniting and empowering the global cancer community.”
UICC Board Elections 2026
UICC announced the 2026–2028 candidates following a nomination process that attracted 51 nominations for Board positions. Its Nominating Committee shortlisted 24 candidates for the 14 available seats.
The UICC General Assembly, the organisation’s supreme governing body, will convene virtually on October 20, 2026. UICC full-member organisations will elect both the 2026–2028 Board of Directors and the next President-elect.
The election will determine the leadership that will help guide UICC’s work during the next two-year term, including its efforts to unite the global cancer community, address inequalities in cancer control, and strengthen cancer prevention and care worldwide.
Read further on OncoDaily: Hesham Elghazaly Named Candidate for UICC Board of Directors 2026–2028
