The EANS Foundation was delighted to return to the EANS Congress 2026 in Hamburg, held from 30 September to 4 October, with an expanded exhibition booth, new initiatives and meaningful opportunities to engage with the international neurosurgical community.
Bringing together 2,372 participants from 88 countries, alongside 72 industry partners, the Congress provided an exceptional platform for scientific exchange, professional networking and collaboration, with more than 150 scientific sessions and over 1,700 presentations.
A Welcoming Space for Engagement and Support
Building on the experience of the previous Congress, the EANS Foundation further developed its exhibition booth, creating a welcoming and interactive space where visitors could discover the Foundation’s mission, learn about its ongoing projects and explore opportunities to contribute to its work.
The booth also became a place of generosity and solidarity. Throughout the Congress, the Foundation was pleased to receive CHF 2,935 in donations, reflecting the goodwill and commitment of visitors who chose to support its mission.
As a token of appreciation for their generosity, donors received specially selected gifts, including elegant watches featuring the EANS Foundation logo, produced in collaboration with the Swiss watch company Montres Boral SA, as well as branded caps, teddy bears, notebooks and pens.
The Foundation extends its warmest gratitude to Fabrizio Cavalca, founder of the watch brand, for his unwavering support, generosity and valued collaboration. His continued commitment to the Foundation is deeply appreciated and represents a wonderful example of how meaningful partnerships can contribute to a shared humanitarian mission.
Showcasing Projects and Strengthening Partnerships
Beyond fundraising, the Congress provided an invaluable opportunity to present the Foundation’s key initiatives, exchange ideas with colleagues and partners, and explore new possibilities for international collaboration.
The important highlight was the presentation of the E-NEURO project by our Data Manager and European Registry Developer – Maria Krestyaninova and Dr. Aria Nouri, bringing the initiative to the attention of the international neurosurgical community and contributing to discussions on the future of traumatic brain injury research and international data collaboration.
The Foundation is particularly grateful to Giannina Rita Iannotti, PhD, MBA and Philippe Voruz, PhD, for their continued support, valuable expertise and commitment to the Foundation’s projects and activities. Their collaboration and dedication play an important role in advancing our shared objectives.
Honouring Catherine Wurster’s Legacy
One of the most touching moments of the Congress was the Catherine Wurster Scholarship Award Ceremony on 1 October 2026, celebrating Grace Djonde from Côte d’Ivoire, the recipient of the 2026 Scholarship.
Established in loving memory of Catherine Wurster, this meaningful initiative continues to create opportunities for young professionals and support promising projects in neurotrauma research and prevention.
Thanks to the generosity and personal involvement of Catherine’s parents, Mathias Wurster and Dr. Vera Van Velthoven, together with the support of the EANS Foundation, Grace was able to travel to Hamburg and attend the Congress in person. Her presence and the heartfelt award ceremony were a powerful reminder of the human impact of the Foundation’s work and the importance of transforming compassion and remembrance into lasting opportunities.
The Foundation expresses its deepest appreciation to Catherine’s family for their remarkable dedication, generosity and continued commitment to keeping Catherine’s memory alive through this inspiring initiative.
With Gratitude to Our Community and Partners
The success of the Foundation’s participation in Hamburg was made possible through the collective efforts, dedication and generosity of many individuals and partners.
Special appreciation goes to Maria Krestyaninova for her invaluable assistance at the exhibition booth and her enthusiastic contribution throughout the Congress, as well as to Dr. Aria Nouri for his dedication to the E-NEURO project and its presentation.
We also warmly thank MaxNova, our social media support partner, for its creative assistance and valuable contribution to preparing the Foundation’s communication materials for the Congress.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to to every visitor, donor, collaborator and supporter who took the time to engage with the Foundation and contribute to its mission.
Looking Ahead
The EANS Congress 2026 was much more than an opportunity to showcase our work. It was a celebration of collaboration, generosity and the shared belief that meaningful progress in neurosurgery is achieved through collective effort. Every contribution, every partnership and every new connection brings us closer to our mission: improving medical care through education, research and international neurosurgical initiatives.
