OncoDaily's Oncothon Featured GCCA CEO
On February 4th — World Cancer Day — our CEO, Andrew Spiegel, joined hundreds of global health leaders, clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates for Oncothon 2026: 24 Hours to Improve Cancer Care.
Organized by OncoDaily in collaboration with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Oncothon is exactly what it sounds like: a 24-hour global digital telethon, running continuously across time zones, bringing together voices from every corner of the world to confront the most urgent challenges in cancer care. This year's event was the third edition, building on the momentum of OncoThon 2024 and 2025, and it was bigger and more ambitious than ever.
Andrew joined the session alongside Dr.Gilberto Lopes, Chief of the Medical Oncology Division at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and UICC Board Member, and Dr. Steven O'Day, Chief Medical Officer of Agenus. More than 100 speakers from over 50 countries participated across the full 24 hours, a remarkable demonstration of what global solidarity in cancer care looks like in practice.
For us at GCCA, participation in events like Oncothon goes to the heart of why we do this work. As Andrew said during theOncothon, “Cancer outcomes are shaped not only by science, but by systems.” Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when caught early. And yet every year, people are still dying because they didn't get screened, or because they couldn't access treatment in time, or because the systems meant to support them simply weren't there. Andrew added, “Advances in treatment mean very little if people cannot actually access them. And it’s that gap, between innovation and access, that we focus on.”
Oncothon 2026 covered the full spectrum ofcancer care, from early detection and diagnosis to treatment access, workforce development, and health system infrastructure. It's a conversation that needsto happen at every level: global, national, and local. And critically, funds raised go directly to support UICC member organizations working to strengthen cancer care where the gaps are greatest.
At GCCA, we know that patient organizations are often closest to the reality on the ground. We hear from patients, families, and caregivers every day. We understand what the barriers look like from the inside. Events like Oncothon are an opportunity to ensure those perspectives are part of the global conversation, not as an afterthought, but as a central voice.
World Cancer Day is one day. But the work continues every day after it. If you missed the event, we'd encourage you to learn more and support the cause at oncodaily.com/oncothon-2026. You can rewatch the broadcast here. Find Andrew’s session at 19:29.
Together, we can close the gaps in cancer care.