Marzia Zambon, Chief Executive Director at EUROPA DONNA – The European Breast Cancer Coalition, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Today, the global breast cancer community has lost one of its brightest lights.
Eva Schumacher-Wulf was far more than an advocate. She was a force for change, a trusted voice, a mentor, and an unwavering champion for people living with metastatic breast cancer. For over a decade, she dedicated herself to ensuring that patients’ experiences shaped research, policy and care, leaving an extraordinary legacy that reaches every corner of our community.
It is difficult to imagine it without Eva. She was always there, at scientific meetings, conferences, advocacy events, policy discussions and countless conversations, asking the difficult questions, challenging assumptions, and reminding us all why this work matters. Her presence felt constant. Her commitment seemed endless. Somehow, it was easy to believe she would always be there.
Her passing has left so many of us in shock.
Eva brought together patients, advocates, researchers, clinicians, industry and policymakers with a shared determination to improve the lives of people living with metastatic breast cancer. She taught us that progress comes from listening, persistence, and never accepting that ‘good enough’ is enough.
Among her many lasting contributions, Eva was instrumental in changing how progress is measured for people living with metastatic breast cancer. She was a tireless advocate for recognising progression free survival as a meaningful endpoint in clinical trials alongside overall survival; because she understood that delaying disease progression represents precious time, improved quality of life, and hope for patients and their families. Her determination helped shape conversations that have had a lasting impact on research and drug development.
Today, our thoughts are especially with Renate Haidinger, Eva’s partner in advocacy, who stood beside her every step of the way. We also extend our deepest condolences to Eva’s family, whose love, support and generosity made it possible for her to devote so much of herself to others. While Eva was always thinking about improving the lives of patients, they were there supporting her, enabling her remarkable commitment to this community. We mourn with them, and we are profoundly grateful for all they shared with us.
Today we grieve together, as one community. We honour not only everything Eva achieved, but the remarkable person she was and the countless lives she touched.
The greatest tribute we can offer is to continue the work she devoted her life to. We will make sure her legacy is never forgotten.
Together, we will keep patients at the heart of every decision, continue pushing for better research, better treatments and better care, and carry forward the determination, integrity and humanity that defined Eva.
We owe her nothing less.
Thank you, Eva. Your voice, your vision and your impact will remain with all of us.”