Who We Are

BCAN - the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network - is the first national advocacy organization dedicated to improving public awareness of bladder cancer and increasing research directed towards the diagnosis, treatment and cure of the disease. Founded in May 2005, BCAN is a cooperative effort among bladder cancer survivors, their families and caregivers, and the medical community.

John Quale Traveling Fellowship Awardees

Congratulations to the first John Quale Traveling Fellowship Awardees: Gayathri Chadalapaka, David DeGraff, Peter O’Donnell, and Amit Patel. To learn more about the awardees and their research interests click here.

Volunteer's Efforts Raise Awareness

After discovering the lack of public awareness of bladder cancer, Karen Godfrey decided to become a volunteer for BCAN. Click here to read how she, and other volunteers, are raising awareness.

Is There a Popularity Contest in Cancer Funding?

Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer  yet it ranks 19th in funding.
ABC News asks why some cancers get more money per patient than others. Click here to read the entire story.

Online Support Community Gathering

Bladder cancer survivors from across the country who are members of our online support community are gathering this weekend in Haywood County, NC to meet in person and picnic in the Smoky Mountains. If you would like more information about this event click here.  To register for and participate in our online community, click on the orange button on the left. To read a news story about the event, click here.

A Tribute to John Carter Quale Celebrating BCAN’s Fourth Anniversary

Because of the generosity of our donors, the June 7th event was a wonderful success, raising over $60,000. These funds will allow BCAN to award its first research grant, the BCAN Career Development Award in Bladder Cancer Research. Thank you for making this possible. Please click here to view a list of donors.

BCAN Patient Forum, May 16 in Cleveland, Ohio

BCAN held a very successful patient forum “Understanding Bladder Cancer,” an educational program directed at patients, family members, and caregivers, in Cleveland on May 16.  Pictures and video of the presentations are available here.

Coping with Nausea and Vomiting from Chemotherapy

CancerCare is offering a free Telephone Education Workshop Wednesday, August 26 from 1:30-2:30.
For more information click here.

Research Updates from American Urology Association's Annual Meeting

Click here to go to our Bladder Cancer News page and read stories about bladder cancer research study results presented at the AUA’s Annual Meeting held in Chicago in April.

Clinical Trial Recruiting Smokers to Test a Bladder Cancer Screening Test

For more information, go to our Bladder Cancer News section.

In Memory of Tom Knorr

BCAN mourns the loss of one of our friends and volunteers, Tom Knorr, who died of bladder cancer on March 25.  Tom was initially diagnosed with the disease in 2005.  His courage, optimism and compassion for others will be greatly missed.

Click here to read Tom’s own words about his journey.

Bladder Cancer Basics for the Newly Diagnosed-Available NOW

BCAN’s first handbook for newly diagnosed patients is now available, free of charge. “Bladder Cancer Basics for the Newly Diagnosed” will help patients learn about their diagnosis and treatment options to enable them,  with the help of their medical team, make informed choices about their continued medical care.Please click here if you would like to order copies of the handbook or download a PDF.

Bladder Cancer Webinar

On January 8, BCAN once again partnered with the AUA Foundation to present a Bladder Cancer webinar.  In case you missed it, you can listen to a recorded version by clicking here and completing a free registration process.