Advocacy

Another unique feature of the conference is the level of involvement of patient advocates not only as attendees, but also as participants in the design, planning and implementation of the conference. The Foundation conducts an advocacy program in conjunction with the conference.

In 2019 we began focusing on improving interactions between patient advocates and researchers. This work lead to the Orignal manuscript “Improving the Odds Together: A Framework for Breast Cancer Research Scientists to Include Patient Advocates in their Research” published in npj Breast.

This was followed up a New White Paper: Advocate & Researcher Partnerships Orignal manuscript “Improving the Odds Together: A Framework for Breast Cancer Research Scientists to Include Patient Advocates in their Research” published in npj Breast. Click the link to read the press release. MBCRC Advocate Researcher Program (MARP)

In 2023 MBCRC Advocate Researcher Program (MARP) was Launched The goal of MARP is to introduce researchers and advocates to begin building relationships that improve cancer research. To accomplish this goal, we created a program that provides a forum for advocates and researchers to be paired at MBCRC to get to know one another then spend the conference learning the science together in sessions, over meals, and during the poster session. The long-term goal is to establish relationships that last, allowing the advocates and researchers to work together to improve cancer research focused on metastatic disease.