Brussels, 24 September 2026 – As part of the 10th anniversary of World Cancer Research Day (WCRD), leading cancer researchers, patient advocates, policymakers and international stakeholders gathered yesterday at EORTC Headquarters in Brussels to underscore the vital role of cancer research in improving and saving lives.
To mark this milestone anniversary, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) hosted a special event in Brussels attended by more than 70 participants. The event was honoured by the presence of Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain, Honorary President of AECC and its Scientific Foundation, and Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, Honorary President of EORTC.
A central theme of the discussions was the essential role of patients in shaping and advancing cancer research, from clinical trials to treatment optimisation and quality of life studies.
Speaking during the event, Denis Lacombe, CEO of EORTC, highlighted the importance of academic cancer research in delivering meaningful benefits for patients:
“World Cancer Research Day reminds us that better cancer care is not always about more treatment, but about the right treatment for the right patient, supported by strong academic cancer research.”
The event was also broadcast live on YouTube, attracting worldwide attention.
🎥 Watch the full event: https://www.youtube.com/live/35YcRy-KY7s
Launch of a new initiative
As a concrete outcome of the celebrations, EORTC and AECC announced the launch of a new secondment initiative that will offer AECC-funded researchers the opportunity to gain experience within EORTC’s international research environment in Brussels, further strengthening cooperation between the two organisations and supporting the next generation of cancer research leaders.
As World Cancer Research Day celebrates a decade of impact, partners renewed their commitment to advancing research, fostering collaboration and ensuring that every patient can benefit from scientific progress.
About World Cancer Research Day
Created in 2016 by an international coalition of organisations committed to advancing cancer research worldwide, World Cancer Research Day aims to raise awareness of the impact of research and the importance of greater public participation in research efforts.
About EORTC
The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, which unites clinical cancer research experts, throughout Europe, to define better treatments for cancer patients to prolong survival and improve quality of life. Spanning from translational to large, prospective, multi-centre, phase III clinical trials that evaluate new therapies and treatment strategies as well as patient quality of life, its activities are coordinated from EORTC Headquarters, a unique international clinical research infrastructure, based in Brussels, Belgium.