From Our CEO - Getting to Know You
What makes the European Cancer Organisation so remarkable is its members and the passion and unwavering commitment of the professionals they represent.
Ever since I became ECO’s new chief executive in early February, one of my priorities has been to get to know these member societies better. So, I’ve begun a series of meetings with each.
I want to hear about their perspectives, their priorities, their suggestions. I want to understand how they apply ECO’s multiprofessional, multidisciplinary approach to improving cancer prevention and care. Alongside this, I also want to learn how our Patient Advisory Committee reflects diverse groups representing the millions of people who know this disease all too intimately.
While I collaborated with some of ECO’s member organisations in my previous roles, some others are new to me.
I quickly discovered how they vary greatly. But at the same time, each conversation revealed how much aligns them. First and foremost, there’s our common mission of reducing the burden of cancer across Europe. This not only unites us, it propels us. Each society described, in one form or another, how by working together we are all much stronger and more effective.
One issue that was front and centre for most societies in these discussions was the cancer workforce crisis. They see the staff shortages growing month by month, and their concern is mounting. I reassured them that ECO remains unrelenting in advocating for needed solutions.
They each expressed great appreciation of ECO’s role as a convener of the cancer community and the influence it has gained over the years. They see ECO’s access to decision-makers in Brussels – and more recently in capitals across Europe – and how it can have a real impact on shaping policy.
These meet-and-greet sessions allow us to jointly review their participation in ECO’s Focused Topic Networks and other activities and to discuss opportunities for greater involvement. I ask for their feedback on ECO’s efforts and to offer suggestions on how we might collaborate more closely.
Finally, I take the opportunity of these discussions to express my profound gratitude to our professional societies and our Patient Advisory Committee, and to their volunteers and staff who work so selflessly, year in and year out.
These introductory meetings are just beginning. Many more will be scheduled in the coming weeks and months. But please do not hesitate to reach out at any time. The ECO team and I are here to support you in our shared mission.
With kind regards,
Elisabetta
