AACR Scientist Survivor Program

I was honored to be selected to participate in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Scientist Survivor Program (SSP) this year held March 29 -- April 3 in Atlanta, Georgia. The annual meeting attracts over 20,000 cancer researchers, scientists and medical professionals from all over the world.

What's the Scientist Survivor Program?

The SSP program provides an opportunity for patient advocates to learn about cancer research through education and structure, which is needed for first-time attendees and those of us who don’t have a science background. The opening session includes a 'Mini-Med School’ which covers the basics of cancer research and medicine.

As part of the program, we have the opportunity to attend SSP -- only sessions in which top researchers present topics such as liquid biopsies, clinical trials, and FDA policies in a way that we can understand, leaving time for questions and discussion.

Advocates are assigned to a working group, consisting of advocates from different cancers, an advocate mentor and a scientific advocate. Each group has to gather information from sessions they attend to answer a challenge question about cancer. My group’s question was about the biological complexity of cancer -- complex is an understatement!

Making scientific research assessable

Science has never been easy for me so I have to labor through the statistics, chemistry, biology, and acronyms to understand what is happening in the world of research. Most often, my purpose is to understand and critique the clinical benefit for these patients. This work is important to me on so many levels including directly affecting what studies are funded and ensuring research remains patient-focused.

As a patient research advocate, AACR was more than just hearing about advancements in research. It’s an opportunity to connect with researchers and ask questions. It’s a chance to meet other advocates from across the world. Cancer can be overwhelming and feel overly complex for patients and their families to understand. As patient advocates, it is our responsibility to bring the information we learn back to our communities in a way they can understand and use in making informed treatment decisions. And it is our honor to do so.

An incredible opportunity

In the 18 years that I have been advocating for lung cancer, I have never experienced anything like the SSP program. While exhausting, the people at AACR, the researchers, the other advocates, all of it...is so energizing and the hope was palpable! I know I will be a better advocate because of what I learned and the connections I made. I am so grateful for the opportunity and look forward to doing it again in the future.

For anyone interested, please visit the AACR website for more information