What We Do

The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research, providing information and support to the bladder cancer community, and raising awareness of bladder cancer across the country.  Check out the links below to learn more about what we are doing to advance research, provide educational resources and support services, and raise awareness.

Advancing Research

• Bladder Cancer Think Tank – BCAN hosts the only bladder cancer specific scientific conference in North America.  The 7th annual Bladder Cancer Think Tank took place in Vermont in August 2012 and focused on “Reducing Bladder Cancer Mortality: Early Detection and Novel Therapy for Advanced Disease”.
• BCAN Award for Bladder Cancer Research -  BCAN was proud to present Dr. Elizabeth Guancial, a Fellow in the Dana Farber/Partners Cancer Care Hematology/Oncology program in Boston, with the inaugural $25,000 BCAN Award for Bladder Cancer Research in 2010.  The 2011 award was presented to Dr. Gil Redelman-Sidi, a research fellow at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The 2012 award recipient is Dr. Ami S. Bhatt of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Broad Institute. This research award, now called the Raymond and Maria Floyd Award for Bladder Cancer Research, was established to advance research that will increase the understanding of bladder cancer risk, biology, prevention and treatment while encouraging young investigators to pursue a career in bladder cancer research.
• Advocacy for Research Funds and Health Policies – BCAN volunteers have served on panels at the FDA and Department of Defense as bladder cancer patient representatives to advocate for more treatment options and research funds.  BCAN continues to partner with the Cancer Leadership Council and One Voice Against Cancer to advocate on Capitol Hill and at the National Cancer Institute.  In the future, BCAN plans to expand our advocacy efforts for increased federal funds allocated to bladder cancer research.  If you are interested in helping, please email volunteer@bcan.org.

Education

• BCAN’s website:  www.bcan.org – BCAN’s website is one of the most comprehensive bladder cancer resources on the web.  All medical information is reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board, a group of more than 40 leading urologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists working within the bladder cancer field.
• Clinical Trial Matching Tool – This service helps people obtain specific information about participating in bladder cancer clinical research trials.
• BCAN Emails and Newsletters – BCAN sends quarterly email newsletters packed with information and regular email alerts to our mailing list.  Join our mailing list to receive these emails.
• BCAN’s Patient Handbook - Bladder Cancer Basics for the Newly Diagnosed is available for download, or you can request a free copy be mailed to you.  This comprehensive patient handbook, developed with BCAN’s Scientific Advisory Board, is a valuable source of information to patients and caregivers who are seeking reliable, understandable information.
• Medical Outreach Program - BCAN volunteers personally contact urology practices and other medical facilities across the United States to distribute BCAN’s educational materials at no cost.  Practices can then reorder these supplies online.
• BCAN Patient Forums - BCAN is proud to offer semi-annual patient forums at various sites across the country.  These educational forums bring together medical professionals, researchers, bladder cancer patients and caregivers to hear presentations on different aspects of bladder cancer.  Webcasts of past patient forums are available on the BCAN Patient Forums webpage.

Support

• Patient Calls and Emails – BCAN staff supplement the Frequently Asked Questions and general information posted on our website by answering patient calls and emails for information, resources, and support.
• Online Support Community – The online bladder cancer support community is a source of both information and support. It is free to join and is available to survivors, caregivers, and loved ones 24 hours a day. Over 5,000 members have posted thousands of different discussions about their experiences with bladder cancer.
• Support Groups – BCAN staff and local volunteers have facilitated the development of many in-person bladder cancer support groups across the country.  Information on these groups is available on the support group webpage.  If there is not a group in your area and you might be interested in starting one please contact BCAN at volunteer@bcan.org for information and resources.

Raising Awareness

• Bladder Cancer Awareness  Walks for Bladder Cancer – The first annual nationwide walks to raise awareness of bladder cancer and funds for BCAN’s education and research programs were held in 2011; thirty five walks took place. In 2012 there were 60 walks in 30 different states and over $270,000 was raised for BCAN’s programs.  Almost 100 walks are currently registered for 2013. These walks are always held on the first Saturday in May.  Join a walk in your community or, better still, organize one!   You can organize a walk for 2013!
• Other Ways to Raise Awareness – BCAN supporters can help raise awareness every day by wearing a BCAN awareness shirt or by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper.
• BCAN Volunteers – BCAN volunteers help raise awareness about bladder cancer and provide support to survivors.  Learn more about what you can do to help, and find out what current volunteers are doing.