WRAD Regional Champions bring One Voice for Radiotherapy to ESTRO Meets Asia
Four World Radiotherapy Awareness Day Regional Champions represented WRAD at ESTRO Meets Asia 2026, raising awareness of radiotherapy and the challenges affecting access to treatment.
Prakash Umbarkar from India, Dr Sharon Wong from Singapore, Dr Laraib Khan from Pakistan and Dr Arman Reza Chowdhury from Bangladesh brought perspectives from across the region and connected local radiotherapy communities with the wider global campaign.
Prakash delivered a presentation explaining why WRAD was established, the impact of the first campaign in 2025 and the importance of continuing to improve awareness of radiotherapy. He also addressed unequal access to treatment and shortages across the radiotherapy workforce.
“It was a great experience for me to represent WRAD at ESTRO Meets Asia. In the presentation, I spoke about why WRAD was started, what was achieved during the first WRAD campaign in 2025 and why it is important for all of us to create more awareness about radiotherapy.”
Sharing the impact of WRAD
The first World Radiotherapy Awareness Day campaign reached 109 countries, more than 75 national societies and 48 events, generating over 350,000 interactions and website visits. Delegates also visited the WRAD team during the event to share their views and offer constructive suggestions about how the campaign could continue to develop.
Prakash reported, “it was a great opportunity to share the WRAD message with colleagues at ESTRO Meets Asia and highlight the important role of radiation therapists and the wider multidisciplinary radiotherapy team.”
Bringing regional perspectives into a global campaign
Regional Champions connect WRAD with professionals, organisations and communities in their regions. They share local experiences, raise the visibility of the radiotherapy workforce and advocate for more equitable access to treatment.
Ahead of ESTRO Meets Asia, Dr Laraib Khan spoke about the value of international advocacy and collaboration:
“Representing World Radiotherapy Awareness Day at ESTRO Meets Asia is a privilege. Global advocacy and collaboration are vital to championing patient-centred, equitable care and closing the access gap in oncology. I am thrilled to help highlight our ongoing efforts across both the ESTRO and WRAD platforms.”
Dr Arman Chowdhury reflected on the importance of including the needs of countries such as Bangladesh in the wider regional conversation:
“Representing World Radiotherapy Awareness Day at ESTRO Meets Asia was a meaningful opportunity to bring the message of equitable access to radiotherapy into a broader regional conversation. For countries like Bangladesh, the challenge is not only advancing technology, but also ensuring that every patient who needs radiotherapy can access it safely, in a timely manner and close to home. WRAD gives us a powerful platform to connect professionals, share experiences and advocate together for better access to radiotherapy worldwide.”
Sharon Wong highlighted the connection between awareness and access:
“Radiotherapy gives hope, but awareness creates access. WRAD shines a light on the impact of radiotherapy and the dedicated professionals behind every treatment: radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, medical physicists, nurses and the many others who support patients throughout their cancer journey. As a WRAD Regional Champion, I am proud to advocate for greater awareness, recognition and equitable access to cancer care.”
Continuing the work throughout the year
Although World Radiotherapy Awareness Day takes place on 7 September, its purpose extends beyond a single date. WRAD aims to create lasting conversations about radiotherapy and strengthen understanding among patients, the public, policymakers and funders.
Prakash’s experience at ESTRO Meets Asia reinforced the importance of continuing this work throughout the year:
“My personal takeaway is simple: WRAD should not be only about one day. It should be an ongoing effort to increase awareness, bring people together and make the importance of radiotherapy better understood. I am very happy to be part of this journey and to contribute from India and the Asian region. ‘One Voice for Radiotherapy’ is a message I strongly believe in.”
By sharing experiences from India, Singapore, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the four Regional Champions brought local challenges into the international conversation and strengthened the global movement for radiotherapy awareness and access.
Interested in supporting WRAD as a Regional Champion? Take a look at our Regional Champion page to find out more.
