High-Level Policy Dialogue at the European Parliament and Launch of ECLLA’s European Policy Brief

On the 30th September 2026, during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, ECLLA held its first EU-level policy event at the European Parliament in Brussels. It brought together policymakers, patient advocates, clinicians, researchers, professional societies, cancer organisations, and other stakeholders. The event launched ECLLA’s European Policy Brief 2026 and called for greater recognition of blood cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), within European cancer policy.

Despite major advances in CLL diagnosis and treatment, significant inequalities remain across Europe, with where a person lives still influencing access to timely diagnosis, molecular testing, evidence-based treatment, clinical trials, specialist care, and psychosocial support. The event will brought these inequalities to the European political agenda and explored how European and national action can help deliver more equitable, person-centred, and sustainable CLL care.

From Recognition to Action

The discussion focused on four priorities identified through ECLLA’s 2026 European Policy Roundtable:

• • Improving diagnosis and referral
    Supporting timely diagnosis, appropriate molecular testing, specialist referral, and clear care pathways.
  • Ensuring equitable access to evidence-based care and treatment
    Reducing geographic inequalities and supporting consistent access to high-quality CLL care and innovation across Europe.
  • Expanding access to clinical trials and innovation
    Ensuring that eligible patients have opportunities to participate in research and clinical trials regardless of where they live.
  • Integrating psychosocial support throughout the CLL pathway
    Recognising psychological wellbeing, quality of life, family life, and long-term support as integral components of high-quality CLL care.

Towards More Equitable CLL Care Across Europe

The event aimed to move the conversation from recognition to practical action and build political momentum around shared priorities for improving diagnosis and referral, molecular testing, evidence-based treatment access, clinical trials, and integrated psychosocial support. The outcomes will inform ECLLA’s continued engagement with European and national policymakers and contribute to our wider work to address inequalities in CLL care across Europe.

Acknowledgements

ECLLA sincerely thanks MEP Regina Doherty for hosting this event at the European Parliament and for supporting greater recognition of blood cancers on the European political agenda. We are grateful to all speakers, participants, patient advocates, clinicians, policymakers, and partner organisations contributing their expertise and perspectives to this important dialogue.

ECLLA gratefully acknowledges BeOne Medicines for supporting the European Parliament event and helping make this important policy dialogue possible.

We would also like to thank ECLLA’s foundational funders for their support of the European Policy Roundtable and the development of the European Policy Brief 2026.