A commitment to meeting the needs of people touched by cancer,
by offering them comprehensive, human-centered care throughout their cancer journey,
in addition to conventional medical treatments.
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, February 1, 2024 - IBA (Ion Beam Applications), the world leader in particle acceleration technology, and a major player in the development of medical equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, launches Oncia Community, a public utility foundation, whose mission is to foster the development of and access to a holistic approach that integrates the various facets of cancer care: human, educational, psychological, social and well-being dimensions, as a complement to medical treatments.
The mission of Oncia Community is to affirm the benefits of integrative medicine in oncology based on robust clinical evidence, while actively supporting the development of holistic care centers worldwide.
Françoise Vamecq, co-Founder and Managing Director of the foundation, relates her personal experience at the origin of the project: "I was enjoying a fulfilling life, between my family and my role as a Director of Strategic Alliances at IBA when cancer arrived and suddenly flipped my life upside down! Thanks to IBA, I had privileged access to the scientific and medical community involved in the fight against cancer. However, like anyone confronted with such a situation, I was totally helpless and overwhelmed by the emotional, family, physical, practical, and social challenges. One day, I walked through the door of a holistic care center and was surrounded by a team that responded to all my needs, relieving both my physical pain and moral distress. I took part in discussion and meditation groups, attended thematic talks, received esthetic and wellness treatments, took part in sports activities and nutrition classes, and shared my experience with other patients... I felt I was understood. This human experience was invaluable, and I am convinced, as confirmed by a growing number of clinical studies, that such an approach plays an essential role in the healing process. Unfortunately, integrative medicine remains largely unknown and underutilized, which is why we decided to set up this foundation.”
Olivier Legrain, CEO of IBA and President of Oncia Community Foundation, explains: "With her distinctive dynamism and determination, Françoise shared her personal cancer experience with us, and she wanted IBA to get involved in promoting integrative medicine. This project made perfect sense for a leading company in the medical treatment of cancer, whose mission is to 'Protect, Enhance and Save Lives'. Beyond technological and medical developments, the humanization of healthcare is crucial in the fight against cancer. By joining forces with the medical and industrial community around us, we aspire to improve the lives of patients and their families: Curium, Northstar Medical Radioisotopes, Karl Hugo, IRE (Institut National des Radioéléments) are among the first to join us."
Oncia Community will be dedicated to both the development and promotion of integrative medicine, and to the support and creation of holistic cancer care centers inspired by proven models validated by the medical community. The Foundation collaborates with various Belgian holistic cancer care centers, including the Oncocoon network, with the Kalida Foundation in Spain, and with international organisations such as Maggie's, who have 30 centers in the UK and abroad. Projects for the creation of new holistic cancer care centers are already under consideration, in collaboration with various oncology centers around the world.
Oncia Community's activities will gradually progress at various levels including:
- Promoting integrative medicine
- Raising awareness among the public and medical authorities
- Consulting, scientific support for integrative health and oncology centers
- Creation of a patient-centered ecosystem, connecting the various players (oncology centers, holistic cancer care centers, academic bodies, etc.)
- Knowledge-sharing platform (support models, clinical evidence, etc.)
- Intermediation with public, medical, scientific, and academic bodies
- Provision of financial and human resources (from the foundation or its partners)
Oncia Community's operations will be financed mainly through support from IBA and the foundation's partners, as well as from profits generated from future charitable activities.
The board of directors of Oncia Community is composed of the four founders, Françoise Vamecq, Yves Jongen, Olivier Legrain, Pierre Mottet, as well as Soumya Chandramouli and Delphine Blampain.
About Oncia Community :
Oncia Community is a Public Utility Foundation under Belgian law, endorsed by Ion Beam Applications (IBA) and other companies directly or indirectly involved in the fight against cancer. Its mission is to meet the needs of people touched by cancer, by offering them comprehensive care with a human-centered approach throughout their cancer journey, in addition to conventional medical treatments. In particular, the Foundation is committed to support the development of holistic cancer care centers (emotional, physical, nutritional, educational, social support, etc.) in Belgium and worldwide. https://oncia-community.org/
About IBA :
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is the world leader in particle accelerator technology. The company is the leading supplier of equipment and services in the field of proton therapy, considered to be the most advanced form of radiation therapy available today. IBA is also a leading player in the fields of industrial sterilization, radiopharmaceuticals, and dosimetry. The company, based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, employs approximately 2,000 people worldwide. IBA is a certified B Corporation (B Corp) meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance.
IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB).
For more information:
Françoise Vamecq
Co-founder and managing director
Oncia Community
+32 495 58 98 51
francoise.vamecq@oncia-community.org