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AACR Annual Meeting 2025

April 25-30, 2025
McCormick Place Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois

Patient Advocacy Programs

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.

AACR Annual Meeting Scientist↔Survivor Program® 2025

Building Bridges for Progress against cancer

Celebrating close to 27 years of building bridges between the patient advocate and scientist communities, the AACR Scientist↔Survivor Program® (SSP) is a unique educational program for cancer survivors, patient advocates, and scientists to share perspectives and discuss the latest findings in cancer research, regulatory science, and health policy. Led by Anna Barker, PhD, FAACR, the curriculum is designed to build enduring partnerships among leaders in the scientific, cancer survivor, and patient advocacy communities. 

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Distinguished Public Service Awards

AACR bestows Distinguished Public Service Awards to deserving individuals whose extraordinary work exemplifies the AACR’s mission to prevent and cure all cancers through research, education, communication, collaboration, science policy, advocacy, and funding for cancer research.

Advocacy Partners Pavilion and Lounge

AACR is honored to welcome patient advocate exhibitors to the AACR Annual Meeting 2024 Advocacy Partners Pavilion. Located in the Annual Meeting Exhibitor Hall, the Pavilion and Lounge allows attendees to connect with advocates leading the fight against cancer.

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Patient Advocate Abstracts

Patient advocates are invited to submit abstracts featuring studies led or co-led by patient advocates and cancer researchers. AACR Patient Advocate in Cancer Research Awards are available to patient advocates presenting meritorious abstracts at the AACR Annual Meeting 2025. To apply for this award an applicant must first submit an abstract, and then complete a separate award application.

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Special Topic Tracks

Science of Survivorship Track includes sessions highlighting new and high-value areas of research to address the array of challenges facing long-term survivors. Sessions invite trans-sector discussion among the survivor and advocacy communities, basic and clinical researchers, industry representatives, health care providers, and government officials.

Regulatory Science and Policy Track includes informative sessions designed to highlight recent regulatory developments and provide an open forum for the consideration of issues that the FDA faces as the agency seeks to accelerate the pace of approval of safe and effective treatments for patients with cancer.

Science and Health Policy Track includes sessions that will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about how policy impacts science and vice versa. Health policy sessions will explore how scientific evidence can inform policy on cancer prevention and control and what impact policies are having on patients and communities

Reduced Registration Rates for Patient Advocates

AACR Patient Advocate Affiliate members are provided discounted registration to the AACR Annual Meeting. Nonmember advocates may register to attend the AACR Annual Meeting at a reduced rate. Patient Advocate Registration Scholarships to waive registration costs are also available. Registration rates, deadlines, approval criteria, and instructions are available on the AACR website.

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