Julia Black, Karen McNee and Steve Pointon represented UK kidney cancer patients at the 15th International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) Global Kidney Cancer Summit on 4th – 6th April 2025 in Madrid, Spain. This annual event brings together over 50 patient organisations and charities from around the world to share best practises for the benefit of the care and treatment of kidney cancer patients on a global basis.

IKCC members work together to reduce the burden of kidney cancer locally and globally through collaboration, sharing and learning from each other. Together IKCC members are improving research, treatment, care and survivorship through evidence-based education, awareness and advocacy programmes that respond to the needs of people affected by kidney cancer.

This year’s summit theme was building evidence-based advocacy skills, and included an interactive event with internationally renowned patient advocacy leaders as guest presenters from the world of kidney cancer and beyond. There were also sessions on where patients belong the in decision-making process, evidence-based advocacy, influencing policy change, and addressing the unmet needs of kidney cancer patients.

This busy summit gave Action Kidney Cancer the opportunity to network with patient organisation on a global level, to share best practices and learn from each other.