Olubukola Ayodele: Wrapped up Day 2 of ASCO2025
Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, posted on LinkedIn:
“Wrapped up Day 2 of ASCO2025 wearing my global oncology advocate hat. I had the privilege of joining the AORTIC- Africa networking session, beautifully organised by VP North America Dr Abiola Ibraheem.
In the room were some of the most formidable minds in African oncology: Prof Funmilayo Olopade, Prof Christopher Williams, Prof Tim Rebbeck, Prof Olusegun Alatise. All united by one powerful purpose: To transform cancer outcomes across Africa.
This wasn’t just a professional gathering. It was a profound reminder of our interconnection across borders, time zones and disciplines bound by a shared vision for equity in cancer care.
AORTIC (African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer) has grown into a truly intercontinental movement, embracing both those on the continent and those in the diaspora. Under the passionate leadership of Dr Miriam Mutebi the organisation has flourished and it will be bittersweet to see her tenure come to a close in the coming months.
Reflections from a powerful evening:
- African governments must invest in cancer care as no progress is sustainable without political will.
- Pharmaceutical companies must step up and invest in clinical trials on African soil. This is one tangible way to address racial inequity in global drug development. Representation can’t wait.
- Africa’s potential is limitless. Our researchers, clinicians and advocates are ready. We don’t need saviours, we need sincere, strategic partnerships.
- Passion + Vision = Progress. These are the currencies we must trade in to reshape global oncology.
As someone who has worked across Nigeria, Ireland, Canada and the UK, I know how powerful the diaspora’s contribution can be. If you’re from Africa and live abroad, find a way to give back. Your experience matters. Your voice is needed.
One of the highlights of the night was finally putting faces to familiar names. It was a joy to connect with Nazik Hammad, Onyinye Balogun, MD MS, Jennifer Dent, Isabel Mestres, Runcie C.W. Chidebe and many others who are doing incredible work for and in Africa.
The future of cancer care in Africa will be written by African hands and I’m honoured to be part of the story.”
More posts featuring ASCO25.
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Challenging the Status Quo in Colorectal Cancer 2024
December 6-8, 2024
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ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
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ASCO Annual Meeting
May 30 - June 4, 2024
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Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
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OncoThon 2024, Online
Feb. 15, 2024
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Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023