Zorana Maravic has been appointed Chair of the ESMO Patient Advocates Working Group – DiCE
In a significant advancement for global cancer patient advocacy, Zorana Maravic, CEO of Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), has been appointed Chair of the European Society for Medical Oncology’s (ESMO) newly globalised Patient Advocates Working Group (PAWG).
The globalisation of PAWG brings together 12 members from diverse regions, including Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, Latin America, and Africa. This diverse composition ensures a wide range of experiences and insights, crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by cancer patients worldwide. The group’s mission encompasses providing comprehensive cancer-related information, organising forums for patient organisations, enhancing patient involvement in the oncology community, supporting healthcare providers in understanding patient needs, strengthening coalitions between patient representatives and healthcare professionals, and assisting in obtaining specialist advice for rare or complex cancer cases.
Jean-Yves Blay, ESMO Director of Public Policy, highlighted the significance of this initiative:
“Uniting patient advocates from various parts of the world will foster a closer connection, allowing patients to share their diverse backgrounds and feed their insights into a global approach to patient advocacy.”
Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for patients affected by digestive cancers across Europe. shared the news on LinkedIn:
“Exciting News for Patient Advocacy!
We are proud to share that Zorana Maravic, CEO of DiCE, has been appointed Chair of the ESMO – European Society for Medical Oncology – Patient Advocates Working Group (PAWG)!
With a truly global network of patient advocates spanning Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, this group will work to:
- Amplify patient voices
- Improve access to cancer care
- Drive policy change
Maravic expressed her enthusiasm for the group’s potential impact:
“Having a global patient advocates group is essential to amplify the voices of those affected by the disease worldwide, helping to secure access to early diagnosis, treatment, and care.”
The launch of the globalised PAWG on World Cancer Day reinforces the importance of patient advocacy in oncology. By bringing together diverse perspectives, ESMO aims to develop more impactful strategies to address the global cancer burden, ensuring that patient voices are integral to the global fight against cancer.
Read more about PAWG on OncoDaily.
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