ONKO-ON MISSION

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CANCER THROUGH A SYSTEMIC APPROACH

What it is

On May 6th, 7th, and 8th, the ONKO-ON Mission Opportunity Co-Creation Workshops will take place. For more information, check out our Newsletter.

The objective of the ONKO-ON Mission is to improve the quality of life of people affected by cancer in the Basque Country by integrating actions related to physical activity, nutrition, and emotional well-being into treatment plans.

This initiative has successfully activated and engaged all relevant stakeholders to build a 360º perspective on the major challenge cancer represents for individuals and society.

The ultimate goal is to provide evidence and transformative proposals that help people better cope with the various phases of the cancer experience, including survivorship or “life after cancer.” Ultimately, the aim is to contribute to the creation of a solid, accessible support system that accompanies individuals at every stage, providing the resources and tools they need.

How we do it

The ONKO-ON Mission is structured around three key drivers to promote transformation and ensure a positive and sustainable impact:

Research Driver: Foster collaboration and partnerships among individuals, disciplines, and institutions with well-defined roles and objectives for generating scientific evidence.
Service Driver: Co-create services to contribute to integrated care and the improvement of health outcomes, quality of life, and patient experience.
Participation Driver: Co-create with those affected by cancer (patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals).

To address this major challenge and complement its capabilities, Euskampus Fundazioa has established a strategic partnership with The Care Lab—a team of designers specialized in healthcare system transformation and the participatory co-creation of new care models. Together, they are working intensively to identify and involve key stakeholders, ensuring a proper definition and contextualization of the challenge, identifying opportunity niches, and collaboratively designing concrete actions.

The ONKO-ON Mission is based on a comprehensive and continuous approach to improving the quality of life for people affected by cancer. Through a multidimensional support program, it promotes health and well-being in an integrated way, addressing physical, emotional, and social aspects.

Motivation

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the Basque Autonomous Community, accounting for 28.1%¹ of deaths. According to data from the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), one in three women and one in two men will develop cancer in their lifetime, meaning that the entire population will eventually be affected by cancer in one way or another.

It is a disease that often requires aggressive treatments with significant side effects. Fortunately, scientific and healthcare advances now allow for earlier diagnoses and improved prognoses in many cases. However, the impact of cancer goes beyond the healthcare setting; it is a reality that affects many aspects of life. Living with cancer presents personal challenges such as continuing one’s life project, maintaining employment, and accessing necessary resources. Ultimately, it impacts the quality of life of those experiencing it and those accompanying them through the process.

Additionally, cancer poses a significant economic burden. Its increasing incidence not only strains healthcare systems due to the high cost of treatments and medical equipment but also reduces productivity due to sick leave and premature deaths. On a macroeconomic level, these effects translate into a negative impact on the broader economy, while on an individual level, they undermine household financial stability and reduce quality of life.

Context/Opportunity

At the European level, within the framework of the Horizon Europe program, the Cancer Mission is one of the key mechanisms to achieve the goal of a 70% cancer survival rate by 2030, as set by the European Cancer Plan. This new approach encourages actions aimed at improving cancer prevention and management by systematically integrating research, innovation, and the development of systemic and comprehensive public policies.

The ONKO-ON Mission is also aligned with the Euskadi Health Plan 2030 and closely follows the strategic lines of the new Comprehensive Oncology Plan of the Basque Country and the Basque Health Pact, currently under development.

Since 2023, a community made up of more than 16 research groups from UPV/EHU has formed ONKO-ON Akademia, working to provide scientific rigor and research methodology to the process, while also enriching their own research activities through valuable outcomes from interactions with other stakeholders. We are also constantly seeking new research capabilities that can contribute to the ONKO-ON mission.

Since 2024, Euskampus and The Care Lab have been working on an Engagement Plan focused on involving all relevant social actors.

On May 6th, 7th, and 8th, the ONKO-ON Mission Opportunity Co-Creation Workshops will take place. For more information, check out our Newsletter.

¹Informe de Gobierno Vasco “Cáncer en la Comunidad Autónoma de Euskadi (2001-2021)