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Sharon’s inspiring story and the power of patient-driven research – Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network

Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network/LinkedIn

Mar 2, 2025, 08:41

Sharon’s inspiring story and the power of patient-driven research – Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network

Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network posted on LinkedIn:

“Imagine forming Canada’s first breast cancer advocacy group, and realizing that vital cancer research was not addressing the questions and practical concerns of people with actual lived experience.

That was Sharon Batt’s reality thirty years ago. At that time, the medical community viewed cancer research as the domain of scientists and physicians. Patients, despite being the ones directly affected, were often seen as passive recipients of medical advancements rather than active contributors.

Thankfully, we’ve made a lot of progress since then. When Sharon learned about the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network’s Patient Voices in Research initiative, she was impressed at the fact that the awards program designed by cancer patients, survivors and caregivers and meant to address gaps in cancer research identified by them – and not only that, but patients would also decide which applications to fund! Sharon is now a co-investigator on one of the first funded projects from this initiative, led by Dr. Bishal Gyawali, which will examine disparities in drug access across Canada and internationally.

Feeling heartened by the increased respect for patients’ expertise in cancer research, she says that this program feels like a watershed moment in Canadian cancer research more than 30 years in the making.

Discover Sharon’s inspiring story and the power of patient-driven research.”

Bishal Gyawali, Associate Professor at Queen’s University, Kingston, shared this post on LinkedIn, adding:

“An honour to have such a passionate and knowledgeable patient advocate as a part of our research team. Thank you MOHCCN for funding our idea and bringing us together!”