Obituaries
Michael Peckham – the artist-oncologist who helped shape our world
Not all clinicians choose to look beyond doing their best for their patients to learn about the science behind the disease and play a role in progressing treatments. Fewer still are the successful clinician scientists who choose to look beyond…
In memoriam Louis Denis
We remember with immense fondness Louis Denis, a great urologist and patient advocate, and a warm, funny and kind human being, who died on July 21 2021. Louis was among the ‘founding fathers’ of the European School of Oncology. His…
Bella Kaufman: a rare combination of humanity and morality
Bella Kaufman had great compassion for all cancer patients – but on one in particular she was a bit tough. “Why am I so extra strict with myself?” she asked. “I have a non-evidence based fear of treatment disruption. I…
Angelo Di Leo leaves a living legacy of quality care and research excellence
Future generations of trials must abandon [the traditional] method of patient selection and define eligibility by tumor biology… The era of breast cancer as a homogenous disease is no more. (Ode to a past Emperor, editorial by Angelo Di Leo and…
José Baselga: A giant of medical oncology
José Baselga, one of the most high profile oncologists of recent times, has died at the age of 61. His fame in the cancer world is confirmed by the volume of tributes on social media and websites globally, and in…
Giorgio Parmiani: Cancer immunology looses a mentor and a pioneer
I am writing a note in tribute to one of our oncology research leaders, who has just left us: Giorgio Parmiani – a pioneer in immunology. The scientific community mourns him. Parmiani was internationally recognised in the field of tumour…
Gordon McVie 1945–2021: a lifetime dedicated to defeating cancer
Gordon McVie passed away on January 20th after a lifetime of pioneering contributions to the cause of defeating cancer: as clinician, researcher, manager, advocate and educator. He was a formidable presence on the UK and European stage, driven by a…
In memoriam: Alfredo Die Goyanes, oncology surgeon
It is not possible! Alfredo has passed away, he has not been able to overcome the attack of the damn virus that devastates lives and feelings. I try to control my memories, my friendship with him and the enormous gratitude…
Karen Benn: a great example of what an advocate can accomplish
Tributes have poured in for Karen Benn, deputy CEO and head of public affairs at Europa Donna, who died on 4 September. Karen was one of the longest serving officers at Europa Donna, the European Breast Cancer Coalition that unites…
Lynn Faulds Wood: consumer rights watchdog who took up the cause of cancer patients
Many tributes have been paid to Lynn Faulds Wood, the co-founder and first president of the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC), who has died aged 72. She had a profound influence on giving voice to European cancer patients and advocates…