AACR to Host Community Event in Washington, D.C.

As part of a growing public affairs program, the American Association for Cancer Research is excited to once again host Progress and Promise Against Cancer, a community education event, on Saturday, April 1, in conjunction with the AACR’s Annual Meeting 2017 in Washington, D.C.

This free, public event will bring together some of the world’s greatest minds in cancer research for a dynamic day of conversation and education for cancer patients, survivors, and anyone interested in learning more about cancer. Experts from Johns Hopkins, Yale Cancer Center, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Howard University, and Mayo Clinic, among others, will discuss innovations in cancer treatment and prevention, and how future health policies could impact patients.

The program consists of three panels, addressing current medical advances and trends in cancer research today: Improving Cancer Patient Care: Latest Advances in Cancer Precision Medicine and Immunotherapy – moderated by Laurie McGinley, health and medical writer for The Washington Post; Cancer Prevention and Early Detection: What You Need to Know – moderated by Liz Szabo, senior correspondent for Kaiser Health News; and Today’s Policy Landscape: How It May Affect Cancer Patients – moderated by Dylan Scott, the Washington, D.C., correspondent for STAT News.

The AACR’s incoming President, Michael Caligiuri, MD, director of The Ohio State University Cancer Center will be the emcee of the event. “The topics chosen for this year’s Progress and Promise Against Cancer community event personify questions that are top-of-mind for many people facing a cancer diagnosis today,” he said. “How can precision medicine help me? How will the evolving health care landscape affect the quality of my care?”

Caligiuri added, “We hope that at the program’s conclusion, each person walks away with a better understanding of what’s happening in the world of cancer research and how they may incorporate this information into their lives.”

In addition to the robust panel discussions planned, Progress and Promise Against Cancer will feature inspiring stories from patient advocates including Kim Hall Jackson, a colorectal cancer survivor, who will share her story and guidance on the importance of screening.

Catherine Sumner, a patient advocate who attended the Public Forum at the 2016 Annual Meeting. Photo by © AACR/Scott Morgan 2016

Reflecting on last year’s event in New Orleans, patient advocate Catherine Sumner explains why it’s important to attend Progress and Promise Against Cancer. “As cancer patients, we need the most up-to-date information to make the best choices for ourselves and our care,” she said. “This event brings together some of the world’s leading cancer experts so that we can make those informed decisions.”

Attendees can gain additional resources through the Cancer Resource Partner Pavilion. One of the event’s Cancer Resource Partners is Inspire, a health care social network. “We are thrilled to be a Cancer Resource Partner at Progress and Promise Against Cancer, which provides our community the unique opportunity to meet face-to-face,” explained Richard Tsai, vice president of marketing for Inspire. “We are looking forward to sharing our resources with all attendees as part of this dynamic day of conversation and education.”

We invite those in the Washington, D.C., area to attend Progress and Promise Against Cancer, learn from renowned cancer experts, and connect with others in the community. It will surely be a day of progress in knowledge and promise for a more informed outlook on cancer.

For those who are unable to attend, join us via Facebook Live at 9:30 a.m.

To view a list of experts featured in the program and to register, visit: AACR.org/cancerevent