World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition

What World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition does

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) is an international nonprofit patient advocacy organization registered as an Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif (aisbl) and headquartered at Square de Meeus 38-40 in Brussels, Belgium. It represents 17 member patient organizations across 14 countries and serves bladder cancer patients, carers, healthcare professionals, and advocates by coordinating the global bladder cancer advocacy community, raising awareness of the disease (bladder cancer is the world's 10th most common cancer and 13th leading cause of cancer-related death), and engaging in policy advocacy. Its core offerings are non-software in nature: an annual two-day World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum (held in Brussels 2025 under European Parliament patronage, with the 2026 edition scheduled for Hong Kong), the Global Bladder Cancer Patient & Carer Survey (1,198 responses from 45 countries across 65 questions, published 2023), and a multilingual resource library including factsheets, a Start-up Guide available in six languages, an Online Community Guide, and a Fundraising Guide.

The coalition operates a community-led go-to-market model, engaging member organizations through direct network relationships, the annual Forum, monthly email newsletters, social channels including YouTube, and an annual Bladder Cancer Awareness Month campaign each May. Its primary technology is a WordPress-based website (worldbladdercancer.org) delivering content in English and Spanish with downloadable resources, supplemented by Glue Up for event registration and YouTube for on-demand Forum recordings. Underlying technical capabilities are limited to survey research administration and digital resource distribution; there are no proprietary technology products, APIs, SDKs, or AI/ML components disclosed.

Revenue is derived from two streams: recurring membership contributions from the 17 national patient organizations and tiered pharmaceutical sponsorships. Named financial partners include Johnson & Johnson (Global Impact Partner), AstraZeneca and Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Premier Partners), and Roche and MSD (Sponsors), all supporting the annual Forum and advocacy activities. The coalition is governed by its member organizations, led by President Lori Funk-Cirefice (also President of Cancer Vessie France), with a small Secretariat of 1-10 employees based in Brussels.

Name

World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition

Legal name

World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition aisbl

Website

https://worldbladdercancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition is a Brussels-based nonprofit patient advocacy organization representing 17 bladder cancer patient organizations across 14 countries, delivering an annual global Forum, multilingual educational resources, and patient experience research for the bladder cancer community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Advocacy Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Global Programs (HIV/TB/Malaria/NTDs) (HLAJAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Global Health Advocacy, Policy & Rights Organizations (HLAJAKAO), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Patient advocacy coalition
• Bladder cancer awareness
• Patient support resources
• Healthcare advocacy network
• Nonprofit patient organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership contributions: The coalition operates with member patient organizations from 14 countries that likely contribute to the coalition's operations.
2. Pharmaceutical sponsorships and partnerships: The organization receives support from pharmaceutical companies including Johnson & Johnson (Global Impact Partner), AstraZeneca and Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Premier Partners), and Roche and MSD (Sponsors) for their annual forum and advocacy activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition operates as an international nonprofit patient advocacy association that delivers a portfolio of educational resources, research publications, and event programs for bladder cancer patient organizations and individuals affected by bladder cancer. Core offerings include the annual World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum, the Global Bladder Cancer Patient & Carer Survey, factsheets on bladder cancer treatments and symptoms, start-up and fundraising guides for new patient groups, and awareness campaign materials distributed in multiple languages.

Product overview

World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition is a patient advocacy organization operating as a not-for-profit association (aisbl) headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Rather than offering a unified technology product, the coalition provides a portfolio of educational resources, research publications, event programs, and practical guidebooks. Key offerings include the annual World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum (a two-day global advocacy event), the Bladder Cancer Patient & Carer Survey (a multi-national research survey with 1,198 responses from 45 countries), factsheets covering medical terms and treatment options, the Start-up Guide for patient groups (available in 6 languages), online community and fundraising guides, and Bladder Cancer Awareness Month campaign materials. These resources are designed to support bladder cancer patient organizations, advocates, patients, and carers worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum An annual global two-day gathering of bladder cancer patient advocates, healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry partners, featuring keynote sessions, workshops, panels, and open discussions. Aimed at the bladder cancer patient advocacy community.
• Bladder Cancer Patient & Carer Survey A multi-year, multi-national research survey covering the entire bladder cancer patient experience, from disease awareness and diagnosis through treatment, follow-up, and life with and after cancer. Aimed at patient organizations, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers.
• Start-up Guide for Bladder Cancer Patient Groups A guide available in 6 languages designed to provide support and guidance for anyone wishing to establish a bladder cancer patient group in their country. Aimed at advocates establishing new national patient organizations.
• Online Community Guide A guide that helps bladder cancer patient groups create safe and supportive online communities. Aimed at leaders of bladder cancer patient organizations.
• Fundraising Guide A practical guide offering patient groups clear strategies and real examples to strengthen fundraising and build sustainable income. Aimed at bladder cancer patient organizations.
• Factsheets Collection Factsheets covering topics including what is bladder cancer, understanding medical terms, treatment options for non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive bladder cancer, risk factors, and BCG treatment. Aimed at patients, carers, and patient organizations.
• Bladder Cancer Awareness Month Resources Campaign visuals, social media materials, and key resources to support Bladder Cancer Awareness Month activities held each May. Aimed at patient organizations and the general public.
• Bladder Cancer Facts Infographic A concise infographic outlining global bladder cancer data, common symptoms, and recognised risk factors. Aimed at patients, carers, advocates, and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• The survey found that 75% of bladder cancer patients did not receive information about peer-support groups and charities, highlighting a critical gap the coalition addresses.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Patient Advisory Group of European Cancer OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership affiliation with the Patient Advisory Group of European Cancer Organisation, indicating collaborative engagement in European cancer policy advocacy.
• European Association of UrologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the European Association of Urology for a high-level event on continence health in EU policy during World Continence Week in Brussels.
• WECAN (Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in WECAN, a workgroup of European cancer patient advocacy networks, demonstrating affiliation with the broader European cancer patient advocacy community.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Union for International Cancer Control (UICC): The largest international cancer membership organization with 1,100+ member organizations across 170+ countries. Comparable as a membership-based, advocacy-driven global cancer NGO; broader in scope but provides the umbrella under which disease-specific coalitions like WBCPC often operate.
• NCD Alliance: Global advocacy organization uniting 2,000+ civil society organizations to address non-communicable diseases including cancer. Comparable as a broader umbrella in which WBCPC and similar disease-specific coalitions participate; relevant for understanding coalition funding flows and policy access.
• European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC): Europe's largest cancer patient umbrella organization with 450+ member organizations. Comparable to WBCPC as a Brussels-headquartered cancer advocacy coalition operating at EU policy level; broader cancer scope but overlapping policy and advocacy functions.

Emerging players

• Kidney Cancer Association: Global kidney cancer patient organization offering education, research grants, and advocacy. Comparable as an adjacent urological cancer peer with similar disease-niche patient advocacy model; relevant for understanding cross-disease collaboration and donor overlap.

Direct peers

• Kick it Out / Fight Bladder Cancer UK: UK-based bladder cancer charity providing patient support, awareness, and advocacy. Directly comparable as a bladder cancer–specific patient organization; WBCPC lists it among its network members, making it both a peer and constituent.
• World Cancer Research Fund International: Global nonprofit focused on cancer prevention research and policy advocacy. Directly comparable to WBCPC as a globally operating cancer-focused nonprofit coalition headquartered outside the US, with similar advocacy, research publication, and policy engagement models.
• World Hepatitis Alliance: UK-headquartered global nonprofit representing hepatitis patient organizations across 100+ countries. Comparable to WBCPC as a disease-specific global patient coalition operating an international member network, conducting global surveys, and engaging in policy advocacy.
• Global Lung Cancer Coalition: International coalition of lung cancer patient organizations focused on awareness, advocacy, and patient support. Directly comparable to WBCPC in mission, structure (coalition of national patient groups), and activities (global surveys, awareness campaigns, advocacy).
• Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN): US-based bladder cancer patient advocacy organization offering education, support, and research funding. Directly comparable as a bladder cancer–specific advocacy peer; WBCPC explicitly cites BCAN as part of its international network while operating with a global rather than US-centric mandate.

Regional players

• European Association of Urology: Europe-based urological professional society representing 18,000+ urologists. Comparable as a collaboration partner of WBCPC for EU-level bladder cancer policy events; an institutional peer rather than direct competitor, but relevant for shared advocacy space and sponsorship overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WorldBladderCan
• Facebookfacebook.com/worldbladdercan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/worldbladdercan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition