WHO ARE MEPs AGAINST CANCER?

The MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) Interest Group was founded in 2005 by a group of MEPs at the European Parliament (EP) for MEPs, and remains the oldest and largest group dedicated to cancer policy at the EP. MAC members come from different political groups and countries and work together to strengthen cancer control policies, promote cancer prevention, ensure access to high-quality treatments and care for cancer patients in Europe. MAC members believe that European cooperation adds value to Member States’ action.

WHAT DOES THE MAC GROUP AIM TO ACHIEVE IN 2019-24 LEGISLATURE?

On the World Cancer Day, 4 February 2019, the MAC Group published its elections manifesto called ‘BEATING CANCER: MISSION POSSIBLE: Towards effective cancer control in Europe’. In the manifesto the Group identifies key objectives which shall be addressed in the 2019-24 mandate. MAC members will also closely follow, monitor and influence key health and cancer-related policy files. Activities undertaken by the MAC group shall contribute to reaching the objectives set in the Manifesto and to ensuring that the needs and wants of cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and EU citizens are well-represented and reflected.

WHY SHOULD MEPs JOIN MAC?

I. VISIBILITY – MEPs active in the MAC Group are often approached to speak at high-level public meetings and conferences, contribute to press conferences and interviews, and get greater attention from stakeholders active in healthcare.

II. KNOWLEDGE – Members of MAC get access to expertise and materials relevant to ongoing health and cancer-related policy issues discussed at both the European and national levels from the MAC Secretariat’s network of national/regional cancer societies and cancer experts.

III. NETWORK – MAC members build strong relationships with civil society, patient organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders throughout the mandate. They get access to opportunities to meet other MEPs, EU Commission officials, national decision-makers, as well as to build partnerships in order to fulfill their mission: beating cancer sooner.

 

HOW CAN YOU BECOME A MEMBER?

Membership in the MAC Group is restricted to Members of the European Parliament elected in the 2019-24 mandate. To become a member or find out more information about the MAC Group, please send an email to Linda(at)europeancancerleagues.org or fill in a short application form. We look forward to working together to make beating cancer #MissionPossible!

HOW DOES THE GROUP WORK?

MAC receives secretarial support from the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) (Transparency register: 19265592757-25), a Brussels-based NGO representing national and regional cancer societies across Europe. 

MAC members meet on average four times a year with external stakeholders. Topics of external meetings are agreed upon at the annual strategic meeting and announced in advance. A meeting report with key policy recommendations is sent to MAC members within 30 days after each meeting. All meetings are hosted by MAC MEPs, and organised in cooperation with other non-profit organisations. Participation in events, campaigns and other MAC activities is individual, depending on MEPs’ interests. Regular participation is highly appreciated and awarded by the increased visibility of MEPs’ work (e.g., all three MEPs nominated for the 2019 and 2020 Parliament Magazine’s Health Award were MAC members!).

Internal MAC meetings restricted to MEPs and APAs take place each year to discuss objectives, achievements and future priorities. The first annual meeting took place in Autumn 2019, where the MAC Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs were elected. Two MAC Co-Chairs and two Vice-Chairs coming from different countries and 4 political groups were elected for the 5-year term. You can read more about the MAC leadership and composition here

 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MAC MEMBERSHIP LEAFLET