João De Bragança, CCI President:“We must be–and we will be–a stronger organization, but we must not forget the emotional side of everything”
Approaching the end of his tenure as CCI President, João De Bragança took a few moments to discuss his experience in this role, the changes the organization has undergone, the challenges, and his hopes for CCI's future. Check out his insights in the following interview.
1. How would you summarize your tenure as CCI President?
From a personal point of view, it is challenging. Having so many meetings with so many people from so many different areas or countries (or even time zones…) is a challenge for your agenda and for your capacity to focus and perform. From an institutional point of view it was mostly gratifying. Those “so many people” you meet and talk to are the living proof of the enormous amount of work this community can do.
2. How has the organization changed during these years?
The most relevant change is the fact that we now have a professional structure, as we have hired an Executive Director in January and a fundraiser that will start in November. This will allow us to do more and to do it in a better way, but also to raise funds that will help our local organizations. We must not forget that the Board is composed of voluntary people that couldn’t do all the necessary work.
3. In what aspects have CCI progressed, and what are the main challenges?
We are facing several challenges: (i) how can CCI be increasingly seen as the collective voice of parents, patients and survivors? (ii) how can we add value to our member organizations? (iii) how can we be financially sustainable? (iv) What is the role of CCI in closing the gap between HIC and LMIC? Asking those questions is progressing, because we will have to find answers.
4. How do you view your involvement in your new role as a director?
When I became president I had the precious help of past presidents, like Carmen Auste or Benson Pau. They have put their expertise at the service of CCI. I want to do the same. I will try to focus on some areas but, above all, I will try to make myself available for what the president and the Board needs from me. and I will try to work less hours.
5. What are your hopes for CCI in the coming years?
We know where we want to be in 2026. We have defined objectives that will be discussed collectively. This will be an important roadmap for the future. We will be able to raise more funds that will allow us (i) to be financially sustainable, (ii) to add more value to our member organizations / regions, (iii) to have a stronger voice in the international community of childhood cancer. We must be – and we will be! – a stronger organization, with a stronger professional structure. But we must not forget the emotional side of everything.