With the Irish general election approaching, a community of patients, advocates, researchers and experts are campaigning for better care for cancer patients.

From patient support to finance and wellbeing, Irish patients deserve the same access to care as any other country in Europe, including access to life-changing clinical trials. We also hear the positive stories of those who have successfully gained access to incredible patient-led trials and initiatives that are improving the quality of life for those living with this illness.

Our guest, Averil Power, has been a voice for those affected by cancer previously as a politician and now as Chief Executive of the Irish Cancer Society.

THINGS WE HAVE WITH THEM

● Challenges and Priorities for the Upcoming General Election

● Importance of Cancer Trials and Advocacy Efforts

● Patient-Led Research and Personal Stories

● Issues within the health system such as time and breaching GDPR

● Renewed focus and determination to drive improvements in cancer care and support

GUEST DETAILS

Averil Power has been Chief Executive of the Irish Cancer Society since January 2018. She has over fifteen years of leadership, policy making and campaigning experience, having been Chief Executive of the Irish Asthma Society, an elected member of Seanad Éireann and a policy advisor i. some Government departments.

Averil has a Degree in Business, including non-profit management, from Trinity College, Dublin and was President of the Students’ Union at Trinity College from 2001 to 2002. She also holds a Diploma in Law from Inns of King.

https://www.cancer.ie/about-us/about-the-irish-cancer-society/who-we-are/our-leadership

MORE INFORMATION

Cancer Trials Ireland is a registered charity and the leading cancer research trials organization in Ireland. It aims to provide all cancer patients with access to high quality, potentially life-changing cancer trials and make Ireland a very attractive place to open cancer trials.

Since 2000, 623 cancer trials have been opened in Ireland, involving over 33,500 patients. In 2022, a public opinion survey showed that three out of five people in Ireland would take part in a clinical trial. Almost all cancer clinical trials available in Ireland are listed on the Cancer Trials Ireland website: www.cancertrials.ie/open-trials.

Cancer Trials Ireland is part-funded by the Health Research Board and the Irish Cancer Society. It also receives income from pharmaceutical companies and international research groups, as well as through philanthropic gifts and donations from the public.

Since 2017, Cancer Trials Ireland has implemented an annual campaign (Just Ask) to promote public awareness and understanding of clinical trials and related issues. Just Ask 2023 is supported by unrestricted grants from AbbVie, Bayer, MSD, Novartis, & Pfizer.

KEY WORDS

#cancertrials #IrishCancerSociety #clinicaltrials #patientadvocacy #funding #cancerresearch