In April, Portuguese partners of EU Navigate held a press conference at the distinctive Water Museum in Coimbra. The organiser was the central branch of The Portuguese League Against Cancer (LPCC), with the support of the University of Coimbra and the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Coimbra Francisco Gentil, EPE (IPO of Coimbra) – all of which are involved in recruiting patients and training EU Navigate’s patient navigators.

The event celebrated these volunteer navigators and recognised the first patients recruited to trial the programme in Portugal. The volunteers were invited to the press conference and became the focus of the event. President of IPO of Coimbra, Maria Margarida Torres de Ornelas, described them as: “The ones who will create connections by looking through the eyes of the person with cancer”.

She also acknowledged the importance of innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of older cancer patients and to provide much-needed companionship.

Thanks to the press conference, an invitation for older people with cancer to participate in EU Navigate’s activities has been broadcast on live media and shared in several publications.