This August, the largest meeting of the European Network of Youth Cancer Survivors, organised by Youth Cancer Europe in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, brought together 180 participants in attendance (168 in person and 12 online). Beneficiaries, Associated Partners, and youth living with and beyond cancer from a record of 32 countries gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the ambitious EU-CAYAS-NET project, co-funded by the European Union. The event featured networking events and workshops covering topics such as Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer care, Mental Health, Quality of Life, Cancer Survivorship, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) in cancer care, and more.

The event also coincided with UNTOLD Festival, which our participants were invited to attend as part of the weekend celebrations, and where they got a chance to meet the likes of Sam Smith, Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Tujamo, Zerb, Alok, Nicky Romero and many more backstage, in meet-and-greets organised by YCE.

UNTOLD, held annually in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, is one of Eastern Europe’s largest music gatherings and holds the #3 spot in DJ Mag’s list of the world’s best festivals. The youth cancer survivors' meeting at the 2024 UNTOLD Festival was a powerful reminder of the role that major public events can play in supporting and raising awareness on behalf of vulnerable communities.

The project made its presence felt across the city, with welcoming signs at the airport to greet participants, a collaboration with the University of Babes-Bolyai to host everyone attending from out of town at their local campus, and both consuls and staff from the City Hall (including the city’s mayor, who shook hands with representatives of all 32 countries in attendance) coming together to greet our survivors.