To celebrate World Blood Cancer Day on 28 May, we are highlighting the important work of our Polish member, the Carita Foundation and how they have collaborated with us to raise awareness of important issues with Polish policymakers. 

The Carita Foundation has today participated in a meeting of the Parliamentary Working Group on Oncology in the Polish Parliament. This meeting brought together policymakers, doctors, patient organisations and other key experts to discuss Polish cancer priorities. A key focus was the increasing economic burden of long-term conditions and on optimising cancer care through individualised treatment. 

Łukasz Rokicki, President of the Carita Foundation, contributed to the discussion on home care and outpatient treatment pathways, presenting findings from the Polish translation of the MPE report: “How do European myeloma patients feel about how, when and where they get their treatment?” 

Key advocacy messages covered included: 

• The importance of treatment for chronic and acute blood cancers that is individualised to their stage of life and disease 

• Patient preferences should be considered including on treatment setting and modes of administration 

• Care closer to home is important for some patients, including frailer patients and those living in rural / difficult to access areas 

This successful meeting highlights the importance of collaboration and the critical role of umbrella organisations like MPE in generating cross-border patient evidence to equip our members with insights to support advocacy and policy discussions. 

Read the full research report below. (English version)