Advocacy Alert – April 2020

Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). We understand that many in our community are feeling afraid and isolated. In an effort to stay connected and offer support, we will be posting weekly Advocate Alerts to provide AACR updates, share community resources addressing COVID-19, and hopefully even provide some inspiration. (See the video suggested by patient advocate Mary Scroggins.)

The world can learn a lot from patients with cancer, like SSP alum Adam Hayden, on ways to navigate the COVID-19 challenges. Cancer Today, AACR’s patient focused magazine, published a story featuring tips from cancer patients and survivors on how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. That story, and others, highlight the strength, tenacity, and bravery that are the hallmarks of our patient community.

Listen to Howard Brown speak on living in the moment with metastatic colon cancer.

We are privileged to serve you and your community and look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for your continued support of AACR. Thank you for supporting one another. If you need to reach us, we are here, please email [email protected]

Supporting Our Community

The power of research and science has never been more evident. The AACR continues to drive science forward and foster opportunities to learn, collaborate, and share cancer research with our community. To that end, AACR has opened access to our nine highly esteemed journals effective today through the end of the virtual meetings. We have also made the webcasts of the AACR Annual Meeting 2019 in Atlanta available free effective immediately, so that users can review the most compelling science from last year’s meeting. (Please be sure to visit the AACR journals web page for journal highlights, and to sign-up for eTOC alerts.)

If you would like to become an advocate affiliate member of AACR, please contact [email protected] .

Taking Action

The AACR is leading efforts to protect patients and cancer research during the pandemic. The AACR’s Board of Director sent letters to Congress and the president highlighting the steps to alleviate the COVID-19 public health emergency, while also ensuring patients with cancer are protected, and the cancer workforce remains vibrant.

Take a few minutes and read the global call to action to conquer COVID-19. You can take action by contacting your members of Congress today and urge them to support these recommendations.

Planning for the Future

The AACR is dedicated to the rapid dissemination of innovative cancer research that has always been the hallmark of our Annual Meetings. We look forward to your participation in AACR Virtual Annual Meetings I and II, during which cutting-edge data from across the full spectrum of cancer science and medicine will be presented by scientists from around the world.

April 27-28, 2020: AACR Virtual Annual Meeting I. The Virtual Meeting featured a selection of high-impact proffered paper presentations. The program will include a number of clinical trial plenary sessions featuring more than 30 oral presentations along with perspectives on the science behind the clinical trials by expert discussants; clinical trial poster sessions; several minisymposia that showcase basic and translational science; and three New Drugs on the Horizon symposia that include first disclosures of innovative small molecules and biologics that have recently entered phase I clinical trials. Access to AACR Virtual Annual Meeting I is made freely available. Create an account to access meeting sessions.

Access the Virtual Annual Meeting I Sessions

June 22-24, 2020: AACR Virtual Annual Meeting II. The second Virtual Annual Meeting will present thousands of proffered papers in minisymposia and in an e-poster platform. This meeting will also include an exciting Opening Plenary Session with presentations on the latest developments in tumor biology and genetics (including the microenvironment), early detection, precision oncology, and cancer immunotherapies; the Presidential Address; the Presidential Select Symposium on precision pediatric cancer medicine; scientific merit and distinguished public service award lectures from individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the cancer field; and a comprehensive educational program featuring about 70 educational sessions and methods workshops. Further details on the program, information regarding registration for AACR Virtual Annual Meeting II, and guidance in obtaining any refunds of registration fees for the in-person April 2020 Annual Meeting will be communicated as soon as possible. Abstracts of the proffered paper presentations presented in this Virtual Meeting will be posted online at 12:01 a.m. EDT (U.S.) on Friday, May 15

The Survivor & Patient Advocacy Program will continue to share pressing cancer research news and information with our advocacy community. We welcome you to view the special interest sessions from the Scientist<->Survivor Program at the Annual Meeting 2019.

Join the AACR Advocates Facebook Group.

Join our email list to get news and updates about AACR’s Patient Advocacy Programs.