ONCOSCREEN partner, Youth Cancer Europe (youthcancereurope.org), hosted a dedicated training session in Timișoara, Romania, engaging 100 young people living with and beyond cancer. The event created a safe and welcoming space for learning, discussion, and peer connection, while introducing participants to European cancer initiatives that aim to improve care, quality of life, and outcomes.
The training was organised in collaboration with Little People Romania (thelittlepeople.ro), the founding organisation of Youth Cancer Europe, during one of Little People’s annual community events. Founded in 2002, Little People Romania works closely with paediatric oncology departments across Romania and the Republic of Moldova, providing psychosocial support to children, adolescents, and young adults affected by cancer, as well as their families. Its services are delivered across all major regional treatment centres, offering a consistent and standardised approach to psychosocial care.
The session was delivered to members of the TEMERARII group, Little People Romania’s flagship peer support initiative and the largest community for young people affected by cancer in the country. With more than 1,000 active members, TEMERARII is one of Europe’s most established youth-led peer support communities and has received national and international recognition for its work.
A central part of the training, titled “Temerarii: A Community for Everyone”, highlighted how EU-funded projects translate into practical change for patients and communities. Participants were introduced to ONCOSCREEN and its mission to strengthen Europe’s approach to colorectal cancer through better screening, monitoring, and prevention, including the development of innovative, low-cost technologies and the use of artificial intelligence to support earlier and more accurate detection.
The discussion also touched on why prevention and early detection still matter for people with lived experience of cancer, including in the context of long-term health, follow-up care, and reducing avoidable risks where possible.
Youth Cancer Europe contributes to ONCOSCREEN by supporting stakeholder engagement, communication, and dissemination activities, ensuring that end-user perspectives are reflected throughout the project. Through community-based training and awareness-raising activities such as this session in Timișoara, YCE helps bring European research and innovation closer to the people it ultimately aims to serve.