The MAYA project – Smart Mirrors Supporting Healthier Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults After Cancer – was officially launched on 25 and 26 June 2025 in Toledo, Spain, marking the beginning of an innovative European initiative aimed at improving the quality of life of young cancer survivors. SHINE 2Europe is proud to be a partner in this project, working alongside 15 other organisations from 11 countries.
Funded by the European Union and coordinated by the University of Ioannina, Greece, MAYA brings together medical universities, patient associations, research institutions, and technology developers. The consortium is united by a common goal: to support adolescents and young adults in managing their long-term cardiovascular health through innovative, user-centred digital solutions.
At the heart of the project is the development of SmartMirrors, a novel tool designed to promote healthier lifestyles, increase awareness, and offer personalised feedback and motivation to cancer survivors adjusting to life after treatment.
SHINE 2Europe plays a key role in the project, leading Work Package 2, which focuses on multi stakeholder engagement and participatory research. The team will establish eight Living Labs across Europe and create a network of co-researchers to ensure that the voices and needs of young people are at the core of the project’s development. Also, SHINE is involved in other tasks such as chairing the External Ethics Board and supporting ethical guidance together with the clinical study partners. SHINE’s team includes Miriam Cabrita, Natália Machado, Carlos Iglesias, Carla Reigada, Harm op den Akker, and Carina Dantas.
As stated by project coordinator Professor Dimitris Fotiadis: “MAYA is more than a project – it’s a promise to young cancer survivors that their journey doesn’t end with treatment. By combining science with empathy, and technology with trust, we envision a world where no young person feels alone in managing life after cancer. With MAYA, smart mirrors become silent companions – offering care, guidance, and hope, every single day.”
The kick-off meeting, hosted by the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), set the stage for fruitful collaboration and knowledge exchange.
SHINE 2Europe joins European initiative to support young cancer survivors
