Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, UICC President-Elect of 2024-2026, Founder and CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I have had my fair share of medical conferences, but the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is totally a different vibe.
Over 40,000 oncologists, researchers, advocates, survivors, policymakers, and industry leaders converge at McCormick Place, Chicago, for three days, making it one of the most important gatherings in global oncology. For those of us crossing the Atlantic, it is always worth the jet lag.
This year’s meeting felt particularly special for me. My new role as Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) President-Elect did not go unnoticed, and I was humbled by the warmth, encouragement, and support I received throughout the week. I have perhaps taken my visibility for granted over the years. Imagine my surprise when a revered oncologist picked up my tab at Starbucks, simply to congratulate me.
That visibility comes with responsibility. Leadership demands hard work, quick thinking, teamwork, and a commitment to keep serving the global cancer community. I will do my best.
It was a privilege to attend different sessions, collaboration meetings, and strategic discussions with partners from American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), ECO, ECS, Global Health Catalysts, The Lancet Group, AORTIC- Africa, UT MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, Danafarber SLACOM, ecancer and so many others from different corners of the world.
One main highlight of ASCO26 was the announcement of the new pancreatic cancer drug, Daraxonrasib. For decades, pancreatic cancer has remained one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Advanced clinical trials now show a clear 50% increase in survival. I lost an uncle recently to pancreatic cancer, so it was emotional to applaud leading investigators such as Dr. Brian Wolpin (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), Dr. Eileen O’Reilly, Dr. ZEV WAINBERG, and Dr. Andrew Hendifar, alongside collaborating institutions worldwide.
I left Chicago with a full schedule behind me, new ASCO-induced follow-up calls, new friends, a notebook full of ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the individuals and organisations working every day to reduce the burden of cancer worldwide.”
More posts featuring Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu.
