News 09/08/23

It is a sad day today as we learn of the passing of our dear MEPs Against Cancer Co-Chair, Prof. Véronique Trillet-Lenoir.  We express our most sincere condolences to her loved ones in this time of grief.  She is sorely missed by all, especially by us in the cancer advocacy community.

About MAC

The MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) Interest Group was founded in 2005 by a group of committed MEPs for MEPs. MAC remains the largest and oldest (and until 2020 the only) group dedicated to cancer policy at the European Parliament. MAC members work together in order to improve cancer control and prevention in Europe, in the belief that European cooperation adds value to member states’ actions. 

In the 2019-24 parliamentary legislature, MAC has 128 members coming from all different political groups and 25 EU Member States. The Chairs are: Prof. Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (RE, France) and Mr. Loucas Fourlas (EPP, Cyprus). The Vice-Chairs are: Dr. Sara Cerdas (S&D, Portugal) and Ms. Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg).

Quotes from the Chairs

‘It is a great honour for me to be elected as a Chair of this group, which is the oldest group dedicated to  cancer policy at the European Parliament. My vision was realized with the signing of the Manifesto Against Cancer, which aims to formulate policies with key pillars of activity prevention, ensuring high-quality treatment for all patients, and involvement of them in formulating health policies.

My participation in this group is a statement of my intention to work with all my strengths on cancer issues with a particular emphasis on pediatric oncology and pediatric palliative care. I am seeking to claim as much funding as possible for the development of strategic partnerships, innovative methods and tools. I look forward to working with MEPs across political groups as a real team to reach our goals.’

Loucas Fourlas,
MAC Chair

“For more than 30 years, I have dedicated my life as a University Professor and Public Service Medical Doctor to the fight against cancer, the leading cause of death in Europe and a subject of great suffering for millions of citizens. I am therefore very proud to become Chair of the MAC Group.

The 4 million people affected in Europe need a European strategy to fight against cancer. A collective and concerted strategy is required in our Parliament to promote and support efforts to improve prevention, research, access to innovation and reintegration and reduce health inequalities among citizens.

We need the European scale to guarantee access to the most innovative medicines without shortage, and at a fair price, to mobilize more research teams on ambitious programs for the Horizon Europe’s Mission on Cancer and to fight against rare cancers and in particular pediatric cancers that still kill 6000 children per year.

I, therefore, welcomed with great enthusiasm Europe’s beating Cancer Plan. With my experience as a Clinician, Teacher and Researcher, as well as President of a French Cancer cluster and Administrator of the French National Cancer Institute, I am ready to commit to this Interest Group and mobilize Members of the European Parliament as well as all stakeholders, particularly patients’ representatives, around this noble cause for Europe.’

Véronique Trillet-Lenoir,
MAC Chair

SECRETARIAT

The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) is honoured to have been appointed by MAC to provide secretarial support since 2010. ECL is a Brussels‐based non‐profit organisation that represents national cancer societies across Europe. If you would like to become a member of MAC and make a difference in cancer control, receive more information about our initiatives or organise an event with MAC MEPs, please visit www.mepsagainstcancer.eu or contact us at ECL(at)cancer.eu

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