Europa Donna, The European Breast Cancer Coalition, is European cancer patients’ association based in Milano. Europa Donna Slovenija has been its member since 1997. In Europa Donna Slovenija we follow the 10 goals of the European coalition. We connect the healthy population, breast cancer patients and survivors, gynaecological cancers patients and survivors, individuals and expert institutions. Our mission is to provide equal opportunities for all patients with breast cancer and gynaecological cancers to get holistic treatment, early disease detection, immediate and effective treatment and holistic rehabilitation.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In Slovenia, more than 1500 women and 10 – 15 men are newly diagnosed with breast cancer yearly. More than 650 women are diagnosed with gynaecological cancers (ovarian, uterine and cervical …)
With our programmes we provide support for cancer patients and survivors, for their relatives/friends, we raise awareness about healthy lifestyle and cancer prevention, and we collaborate with decision-makers, health policymakers and health care professionals in the field of breast cancer and gynaecological cancers.
Tanja Španić, DVM, PhD, Europa Donna Slovenia, Professional Patient Advocate
Tanja Spanic is a dedicated patient advocate and the current President of Europa Donna Slovenia, as well as the past President of Europa Donna – The European Breast Cancer Coalition.
Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26, Tanja joined Europa Donna Slovenia just a year later. Since then, she has been an active and influential breast cancer advocate both nationally and internationally.
She serves in numerous leadership and advisory roles, including as a faculty and scientific committee member at BCY, EBCC, and ESMO Breast25, and on the steering committees of the OlympiA and POSITIVE clinical trials. Since January 2025, she has been a member of the ABC Global Alliance Board of Directors. Additionally, she contributes to the EBCTCG at Oxford and two ESMO working groups (Policy and Precision Medicine). Previously, she was part of the panel of experts for the Lancet Breast Cancer Commission.
In Slovenia, she serves on the Ethical Committee of the Institute of Oncology, the steering committee for screening programs at the Ministry of Health, and the Health Council at the Ministry of Health. She is also a co-author of several breast cancer scientific papers.
She holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and a PhD in Molecular and Behavioural Neuroscience.
Darja Molan, B.Sc. EE., Project Coordinator, Europa Donna Slovenia, Patient Advocate
As a breast cancer survivor, her personal journey has ignited a deep passion for patient advocacy and supporting others facing similar challenges. With a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and her book Vem, da zmoreš, Darja, which chronicles her healing experience, she strives to inspire hope and resilience in patients.
In her role as Project Coordinator for the EU project Artillery, she focuses on coordinating efforts within Work Package 6, aiming to effectively communicate and disseminate the project’s findings. She works to ensure that the voices of patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders are heard, contributing to the development of innovative solutions that enhance early detection of chronic disease risks in women with breast cancer. Her goal is to empower patients and improve their quality of care through collaboration and engagement, ensuring they are supported throughout their journey.
