Stronger Together: Key Takeaways from the CCI Europe Conference

There are moments at conferences that stay with you long after the sessions end - conversations in hallways, shared experiences across countries, and the feeling of being part of a community working toward the same goal.

This year’s CCI Europe Conference was full of those moments.

Taking place in Glasgow from 4–6 May, advocates, survivors, parents, healthcare professionals, and partners came together to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen connections across the childhood cancer community. Beyond the programme itself, the conference reflected the energy, commitment, and solidarity that continue to drive this movement forward.

Here are three key takeaways from this year’s conference.

1. The Childhood Cancer Community Is Stronger When Knowledge and Experience Are Shared

One of the strongest impressions from the conference was the openness with which organisations, advocates, and professionals shared their experiences, challenges, and ideas. Across sessions and discussions, there was a clear willingness to learn from one another and build on existing expertise rather than work in isolation.

Whether discussing psychosocial support, access to treatment, survivorship care, patient advocacy, or research, participants repeatedly highlighted the value of exchanging good practices and practical experiences across countries and organisations.

This spirit of mutual learning is essential in childhood cancer, where challenges are often complex, and resources can vary significantly between countries. Conferences like this create space not only for dialogue, but for collective progress.

2. Childhood Cancer Requires International Cooperation

Childhood cancer is a rare disease. No single country, organisation, or institution can address all challenges alone.

A key message throughout the conference was the importance of international cooperation and coordinatedaction. By joining forces across borders, organisations can amplify their impact, share expertise, strengthen advocacy efforts, and work toward more equal standards of care and support for children, adolescents, survivors, and families.

The conference demonstrated how much can be achieved when different stakeholders come together with a shared purpose. Collaboration on a multinational level is not simply beneficial — it is necessary to ensure that every child and young person affected by cancer has access to the best possible care and quality of life, regardless of where they live.

3. Survivors Are a Growing and Powerful Force in Advocacy

One of the most inspiring aspects of the conference was the strong presence of survivors. Overall, more than 30 survivors participated in the event — not only as attendees, but as advocates, speakers, organisers, and leaders helping shape discussions and priorities.

Their presence reflected the growing strength of the survivor community, both in numbers and in influence. Survivors bring lived experience, expertise, and perspectives that are essential for meaningful advocacy and patient-centred care.

Participants of the Session dedicated to Survivors.

The principle of “nothing about us without us” was visible throughout the conference — not as a symbolic gesture, but as a recognition that survivors are among the most competent voices when it comes to understanding the long-term impact of childhood cancer and the support that is truly needed.

Their engagement continues to strengthen the movement and inspire the entire childhood cancer community.

Looking Ahead

The CCI Europe Conference once again showed the importance of coming together as a community. It reinforced that progress in childhood cancer depends on cooperation, shared knowledge, and ensuring that the voices of patients and survivors remain at the centre of all efforts.

The conference also marked an important milestone for our childhood cancer community. Following the establishment of CCI Europe as a legal entity earlier this year, the event provided space for the signing of the affiliation agreement and the handover of European assets to CCI Europe — an important step in strengthening and formalising collaboration across the region.

Rodney Wong, President of CCI Board of Trustees, and Anita Kienesberger, Chair of CCI Europe Committee sign the affiliation agreement.

In addition, the conference created an opportunity for an important meeting between CCI and the CCI Europe Committee, further reinforcing dialogue, alignment, and cooperation within the global childhood cancer community.

We return from the conference inspired, motivated, and more committed than ever to continuing this work together.