The Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award is presented annually to projects that address the unmet needs of patients and carers affected by colorectal cancer within the country of a DiCE Member Organisation. This year, the competition showcased three exceptional initiatives, each aimed at making a profound difference in the lives of colorectal cancer patients:

• Cyprus: “Tackling the psychosocial challenges of people with stoma (after a colorectal cancer diagnosis) and improving their quality of everyday life.”
• Hungary: “Improving the quality of patient care and scientific research to develop an optimal form of prehabilitation care.”
• Slovakia: “Building a new patient support centre at the Oncological Institute, offering psychosocial support for colorectal cancer patients who require a permanent stoma.”

A panel of five esteemed judges had the challenging task of selecting this year’s winner:

• Zorana Maravic, DiCE
• Mariana Vitaloni, DiCE
• Lasma Nikolaisone, OncoAlliance, Latvia
• Claudia Cardone, Istituto Tumori, Italy
• Gianluca Mauri, IFOM, Italy

Each judge expressed their admiration for the innovative and impactful nature of all three projects, making the decision both rewarding and difficult.

After thorough deliberation, the 2024 Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award was presented to the Recover With Us Association from Hungary. Their project focused on improving patient care and advancing research to develop a gold standard in prehabilitation care for colorectal cancer patients.

Congratulations to the Recover With Us Association, and heartfelt appreciation to all applicants for their dedication to enhancing the lives of colorectal cancer patients and their carers.

Author:
Ghislaine Gerbier