Vision
The Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELL.O.K. is the official second-level organization representing cancer patient associations. It consists of 50 member organizations from across Greece, advocating for all types of cancer, including common, rare, and pediatric cancers. ELL.O.K. is a non-profit association governed by an elected Board of Directors with a three-year term. The members of the Board have experience in various types of cancer and come from different regions of the country, creating a comprehensive view of oncology care and treatment throughout Greece.
History
The Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELL.O.K.) was founded in Athens in November 2015 as the official second-level organization representing cancer patient associations. ELL.O.K. has been operating as an online community since 2011. Starting with 17 founding members, it has now grown to include 50 member organizations from across Greece, advocating for all types of cancer, including common, rare, and pediatric cancers.
Mission
The mission of ELLOK is to advocate for cancer policies and research. By joining forces with all its members and promoting synergies with the state and all stakeholders involved in cancer care, ELLOK supports the individual and collective rights of oncology patients, ensuring their universal and uninterrupted access to diagnosis, treatment, and care.
ELLOK's main targets are:
•To prioritize cancer as a key area for action on the national and European health policy agenda.
•To contribute to the amendment of existing legislation or the creation of new policies aimed at improving cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration, palliative care, and dignified end-of-life care.
• To ensure that all cancer patients in Greece have access to timely and appropriate prevention, early detection, clinical trials, and state-of-the-art treatment options.
• To empower and educate cancer patients to take an active role in their care, in shaping national and European policies that affect cancer prevention and treatment, as well as survival from the disease.
• To strengthen the collaboration between the member organizations of ELLOK and with corresponding European cancer patient organizations.
• To recognize the growing number of cancer survivors as a result of early detection and intervention, better care and treatment, research on survivorship issues, and advocacy for improved healthcare and social services.
• To strengthen networking, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices with similar cancer patient organizations at the European level.
Strategies
The strategy of ELLOK focuses on five key pillars:
• Cancer and policies: Influencing the design of cancer-related health policies to ensure that cancer patients and their needs are placed at the center.
• Advocacy: Strategic partnerships with patient organizations and associations, the academic community, scientific societies, research institutes, and civil society, aiming to strengthen the voice of patients.
• Awareness: Raising public awareness about the challenges faced by cancer patients, caregivers, and their families, with the goal of ensuring access to new treatments and timely, state-of-the-art cancer care.
• Capacity building of members: Empowerment and support of our member organizations to enable their participation in national health policy-making and enhance the services they provide to their members.
• Cancer Research: Enhancing the participation of cancer patients in cancer research to improve cancer treatment and the quality of life of patients.
ELLOK invests in collaborations with all stakeholders involved in cancer. It has established cooperation agreements with major research institutions and scientific societies in our country. At the international level, it is a member of the All.Can International, UICC, PCE, WPCC, and AMR Network, Lymphoma Coalition, Europa Uomo, and (BBMRI-ERIC) Stakeholder Forum Patients Pillar networks.
Values
WE BELIEVE THAT:
