Tributes to Veronique Trillet-Lenoir MEP 1957-2023
Tributes to Veronique from the vast European cancer community have been flowing in. See below. We've also received lots of photos of Veronique that we've compiled in a special photo library. If you'd like to add your own message or picture, please send them to
It is with great sadness that the European Cancer Organisation has learned of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Veronique Trillet-Lenoir MEP, at the age of 66.
It is hard to imagine any one individual who's had such an influence in so many areas of cancer care.
As a member of the European Parliament from France, Veronique was a true champion of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, helping guide it from general concept to robust implementation. She was also an active member on the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, and co-chair of the MEPs Against Cancer group.
Upon news of her death, Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides described Veronique as a "dear friend," saying that the MEP was "committed, caring, passionate, always striving to make a difference in health."
Veronique, who was from Lyon, was an oncologist, a professor at the University Hospital Center of Lyon, and a board member of the National Cancer Institute of France. Her cause of death was not immediately known.
Many within the European cancer community will know Veronique from her regular presentations at ECO events, including several years at the European Cancer Summit. Behind the scenes she worked tirelessly to bring oncology professionals and patient advocates together to achieve our common mission of improving and saving lives all across Europe.
We will find appropriate ways to pay tribute to Veronique’s life and work in the coming weeks, but we wanted to share this news as soon as possible given her vital role in our work together. We send our deep condolences to Veronique’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
More to follow...
Andreas Charalambous, ECO President:
“It is with great sadness to hear the news on the passing of Triller-Leonor. The cancer community feels poorer with the passing of a timeless and inspiring advocate of the EU Beating Cancer Plan and EU Cancer Mission. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones at these difficult times.”
Matti Aapro, ECO Past-President:
“Veronique dedicated herself to all around her and had a vision of healthcare truly centred on the patient. Her efforts helped shape tomorrow's cancer care. We have lost a friend and a leader.”
Mirjam Crul, ECO Board Member:
“Words that come to mind immediately when thinking of Veronique are relentless dedication, compassion for all (patients, caregivers, colleagues) and being a role model for women working in the field of oncology.”
Mark Lawler, ECO Board Member:
“To my mind she was a tireless advocate for cancer research and its translation into better cancer care in Europe. She really "got" the connection between research and better care for patients and was a unstinting ally for the European Cancer Organisation. A very sad and irreplaceable loss.”
Daniel Kelly OBE, ECO HPV Action Network Co-Chair:
"Veronique will be greatly missed. She always supported the HPV Action Network’s work and was a strong advocate for cancer prevention. Her passion for improving European cancer care, together with her strong political abilities, resulted in a unique combination of skills. We have lost a great ally but her contribution will always be remembered."
