Patient Seminar 2013
ESGO was delighted to organise a second Patient Seminar during the 18th ESGO Congress in Liverpool under the theme Gynaecological Cancers in Europe: Patient Advocacy & Collaboration.
Aimed at leaders of patient groups, the seminar highlighted hot topics in gynaecological oncology while focusing on the role of patient groups as advocates for change within their countries and at a European level.
For the first time, a highly interactive ‘best practice marketplace’ session provided participants with the opportunity to discuss issues with colleagues in an informal small group setting. Topics included ‘building public awareness of gynaecological cancer’s’; ‘cancer and the social environment’ and ‘the patient perspective on standards of care’.
During the closing session, we heard how cancer patient groups secured a voice in Sweden and the UK, and discussed with a journalist how to get the gynaecological cancer message right with the media. Also addressed were the gynaecological cancer advocacy issues and agreement on next steps.
2013 Patient Seminar Documentation & Photos
A group photo of some of the 2013 Patient Seminar participants.
Liverpool Convention Centre, the venue of the 2013 Patient Seminar
Patient Seminar Co-Chair Louise Bayne, CEO Ovacome UK opening the 2013 Patient Seminar
Ate van der Zee, ESGO Past President, speaking about the challenges of (gynaecological) cancers in Europe in 2013 and beyond.
Jan Geissler, Co-Founder, CML Advocates Network & Director, European Patients‘ Academy on Therapeutic Innovation, Germany, talking about 'The patient voice: turning health policy into opportunity'.
Session 2 speakers (from left to right) Jalid Sehouli, Director, Department of Gynecology, Charité, Campus Virchow Clinic and Nicoletta Colombo, Immediate Past President, ESGO together Session Chair, Nick Reed, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Beatson Oncology Centre, London, UK, answering questions from the audience about 'Hot topics in gynaecological cancers - news on research'.
Dominika Trzaska, Scientific Officer, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation, Brussels, Belgium speaking about 'Securing a patient voice in clinical trials' (EU initiative)
John Green, Chair ENGAGe and Institute of Translational Medicine University of Liverpool, UK giving a status update on ENGAGe since the last Patient Seminar and 'Acute and late effects of treatment vs quality of life - taking an integrated approach'.
Participants enjoying a coffee break
Serious networking during one of the breaks
Jose Luis Flores (centre) representing Boehringer Ingelheim, a sponsor of the 2013 Patient Seminar together with ENGAGe Chair, John Green (left) and ENGAGe Coordinator, Isabel Mortara (right).
ESGO President, Vesna Kesic (left) and 2013 Patient Seminar sponsor Eli Lilly represented by Moira Howie (centre) together with ENGAGe Coordinator, Isabel Mortara.
ENGAGe Coordinator, Isabel Mortara with the thank you plaque presented to GSK, a 2013 Patient Seminar sponsor represented by Geraint Thomas (centre) and ESGO President, Vesna Kesic.
Conny Bressers (centre), representing Roche, a 2013 Patient Seminar sponsor together with Vesna Kesic and Isabel Mortara.
Marketplace Session speakers Elisabeth Ross, CEO Ovarian Cancer Canada & Marcia Donziger, Founder & Chief Mission Officer, Mylifeline.org, USA presenting 'Let’s talk about International collaboration between our patient groups'
Gilda Witte, CEO Ovarian Cancer Action, UK speaks about 'How to organise events to raise awareness about gynaecological cancer and to fundraise for your patient organisation'.
'Taking a concept across national boundaries and cultures' was the topic Sarah Beard, Maggie's Centres, UK presented during the Marketplace sessions.
Peter O’Donnell, Associate Editor, European Voice (standing) interviewing a panel as part of Session 4 which focused on 'Health policy and patient representation' sharing the Swedish model where patients are included in high level decision making policy forums & the UK model of working between the charitable sector and government. From left to right sitting down: Annwen Jones, CEO, Target Ovarian Cancer UK, Gunilla Gunnarsso, Coordinator Cancer Strategy, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Sweden, Barbro Sjölander, Nätverket mot Gynekologisk Cancer, Sweden and Rob Music, Director, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, UK.
Isabel Mortara, ENGAGe Coordinator, explaining the role of advocacy and presenting the ENGAGe materials developed to help patient groups carry out advocacy efforts in their own countries. This session concluded with getting agreement on key advocacy issues for the ENGAGe network.
Vesna Kesic, ESGO President closing the 2013 Patient Seminar and confirming ESGO’s commitment to the gynaecological cancer patient community.
