Patient Advocate Events
Upcoming events
National Cancer Survivor Month 2026
June 2026
Thanks to cancer research, there are currently more than 18.6 million people living with a history of cancer in the United States. Each person diagnosed with cancer faces a unique set of challenges, but 1 in 4 survivors reports a poor physical quality of life, and many experience psychosocial challenges. We need to do better.
AACR celebrates survivors and encourages individuals touched by cancer to learn more about the science of survivorship and discover how research is improving cancer-related outcomes and saving lives.
Learn MoreCongressional Briefing: AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2026 release
June 24, 2026
Please join the American Association for Cancer Research® (AACR) on Capitol Hill for a congressional briefing as AACR leaders unveil the AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2026 and patient advocates featured in the report share their experiences with cancer to drive public policy change. This fourth edition of the landmark AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report highlights the latest research on the underlying causes of disparities in cancer incidence, treatment, and outcomes across the United States. The report also outlines evidence-based solutions to eliminate disparities and advance equitable cancer care for all populations.
Register Today14th Annual rally for medical research
September 17, 2026
Please join the American Association for Cancer Research® (AACR) on Capitol Hill for a congressional briefing as AACR leaders unveil the AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2026 and patient advocates featured in the report share their experiences with cancer to drive public policy change. This fourth edition of the landmark AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report highlights the latest research on the underlying causes of disparities in cancer incidence, treatment, and outcomes across the United States. The report also outlines evidence-based solutions to eliminate disparities and advance equitable cancer care for all populations.
Learn More19th AACR Conferences on the science of cancer disparities
October 18-21, 2026
Join us at the 19th AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities, where cutting-edge cancer research meets real-world solutions. This conference is dedicated to advancing the understanding of cancer health disparities that pose significant public health challenges and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. Patient advocates will engage with experts in basic, translational, clinical, population, behavioral, computational, and community-based research to share ideas, explore the latest findings, and develop new research initiatives.
Learn MoreSan Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2026
December 8-11, 2026
This year marked the 49th anniversary of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, now the largest breast cancer research gathering in the world. SABCS proudly celebrates the vital role patient advocates play in advancing breast cancer research, discovery, and care. Each year we are honored to welcome nearly 500 patient advocates, representing over 115 patient advocacy organizations worldwide.
Learn Morepast events
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2026 Events
April 17-22, 2026: AACR Annual Meeting 2026
The AACR Annual Meeting is the focal point of the cancer research community, where scientists, clinicians, other health care professionals, survivors, patients, and advocates gather to share the latest advances in cancer science and medicine. From population science and prevention; to cancer biology, translational, and clinical studies; to survivorship and advocacy; the AACR Annual Meeting highlights the work of the best minds in cancer research from institutions all over the world.
March 24, 2026: AACR Patient Advocate Forum: Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Research, Care, and Survivorship: Current Status and What’s Next
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly important tool in cancer research, helping scientists analyze complex data, identify patterns, and accelerate discoveries that may ultimately improve patient care. This AACR Patient Advocate Forum focuses on how AI is being used today in cancer research and clinical care and how these advances are expected to influence cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship in the years ahead.
2025 Events
December 9-12, 2025: San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
This year marked the 48th anniversary of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, now the largest breast cancer research gathering in the world. SABCS proudly celebrates the vital role patient advocates play in advancing breast cancer research, discovery, and care. Each year we are honored to welcome nearly 500 patient advocates, representing over 113 patient advocacy organizations worldwide.
December 4, 2025: AACR Pediatric Cancer Progress Report Inaugural Release
AACR released its first ever edition of the Pediatric Cancer Progress Report on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. This inaugural report provides a detailed overview of the tremendous progress made over the last decade in the prevention, detection, and treatment of pediatric cancer, and how these advances crucially depend on robust and sustained federal investments in research and support programs. The report also highlights ongoing and emerging trends in the field, the needs of pediatric cancer survivors, and the global landscape of pediatric cancer.
September 18-21, 2025: 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities
The 18th AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities was dedicated to advancing the understanding of cancer health disparities that pose significant public health challenges and affect vulnerable populations. Patient advocates engaged with experts in basic, translational, clinical, population, behavioral, computational, and community-based research to share ideas, explore the latest findings, and develop new research initiatives.
September 17-18, 2025: Rally for Medical Research
Advocates from around the country joined the 2025 Rally for Medical Research! Hill Day to call on our nation’s policymakers to make funding for NIH a national priority and raise awareness about the importance of continued investment in medical research that leads to MORE PROGRESS, MORE HOPE and MORE LIVES SAVED.
September 17, 2025: AACR Cancer Progress Report 2025 Release Event
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the annual AACR Cancer Progress Report, released during this special event in Washington, DC. As the cornerstone of the AACR’s commitment to educating the public about cancer and the critical role of biomedical research, the report underscores the need for sustained federal funding for the NIH, NCI, FDA, and CDC.
July 15, 2025: AACR Patient Advocate Forum: From Discovery to Survivorship: Technology’s Role in Beating Cancer
The AACR Patient Advocate Forum explores how advanced technologies are transforming cancer care, with a focused lens on immunotherapy, precision oncology, imaging, and survivorship. Building on the February 2023 Forum, this program highlights how innovations in these areas are driving unprecedented progress in understanding, diagnosing, and treating cancer. Experts share how cutting-edge tools are revealing new biological insights and enabling more personalized, effective interventions. The Forum also emphasizes how these technologies are shaping the patient experience across the continuum of care—from diagnosis through survivorship.
June 2025: National Cancer Survivor Month
Thanks to cancer research, there are currently more than 18 million people living with a history of cancer in the United States. Each person diagnosed with cancer faces a unique set of challenges, but one in four survivors reports a poor physical quality of life and one in 10 reports poor mental health-related quality of life. We need to do better.
AACR celebrates survivors and encourages individuals touched by cancer to learn more about the science of survivorship and discover how research is improving cancer-related outcomes and saving lives.
April 25-30, 2025: AACR Annual Meeting 2025
The AACR Annual Meeting is the focal point of the cancer research community, where scientists, clinicians, other health care professionals, survivors, patients, and advocates gather to share the latest advances in cancer science and medicine.
January 21, 2025: AACR Patient Advocate Forum: Exploring a New Generation of Patient-Centric Clinical Trials
More people are living through and beyond cancer thanks in large part to clinical trials which have given countless cancer patients access to lifesaving treatments. As scientific research has driven progress in cancer diagnosis and treatment, it has also led to significant changes in the way clinical trials are conducted. This Forum explores cutting-edge developments revolutionizing the process and paving the way for more efficient, inclusive, and patient-centric clinical trials.
