Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL)

Dr Wendy Yared is the Senior Scientific Advisor and former Executive Director of the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), an umbrella organization based in Brussels representing national and regional cancer leagues.  ECL was created in 1980, and currently has 32 national and regional member leagues providing services to over 500 million European citizens for a vision of a Europe Free of Cancer.  Cancer leagues are the main source of advice, support and crucial cancer control services for European citizens.  For more than 18 years, Dr Yared oversaw ECL’s team engaging in actions across the entire cancer control continuum, from primary prevention to screening, access to care and treatment, research, and patient and palliative support, with an emphasis on advocacy.  Dr Yared has served as the main contact point for EU projects.  She also serves on various international Boards and Committees in NCD prevention and cancer control.  Additionally, Dr Yared has been for years an active member of the European Commission’s eHealth Stakeholder Group.

Dr Yared has over 35 years’ international experience in tobacco control, public health and cancer policy. Professional roles prior to ECL include the World Health Organization, the European Parliament, Johns Hopkins University, the United States Public Health Service, and with the US Peace Corps service in sub-Saharan Africa.  Wendy’s academic training is from the highest-ranked public health institutions in the USA, with a DrPH (Doctor of Public Health) in International Health Systems from Johns Hopkins, an MPH (Master of Public Health) in Health Policy from the University of California Berkeley, and a BA in developmental psychology also from the University of California.