August 14 2025
As the newly appointed Chair of the NRG Oncology Patient Advocate Committee (PAC), I am honored to work alongside you to advance the science and impact of clinical trials. Our shared mission—to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer through high-quality research—has never been more urgent or more dependent on strong collaboration between researchers and advocates.
We serve as advocates because we believe clinical trials are the engine of progress in cancer care. Each protocol holds the potential to offer better treatments, improve quality of life, and sometimes, extend precious time with loved ones. But as many of you know, the path from concept to enrollment to results is rarely straightforward. That’s why the role of patient advocates is so vital: we help ensure that research is not only scientifically rigorous but also relevant, inclusive, and accessible.
NRG defines a patient advocate as someone who “represents the perspective of patients and their families in the development and delivery of clinical trials.” That perspective is not a single voice, it is a dynamic, diverse range of lived experiences, questions, and needs. It reminds us that behind every data point is a human story.
The PAC continues to evolve in both scope and impact. In recent years—and thanks to support from many across NRG and our PAC members—we’ve made meaningful strides in increasing visibility and engagement. In 2024, as Co-Vice Chairs, Marlyn Molero and I worked to close gaps in knowledge, advocate training, and the PAC review process for CTEP concepts and protocols. With members Kimberly Williams and Wenora Johnson, we developed a draft PAC review format, which was further refined with input from the wider PAC to better guide feedback for study teams.
In early 2025, we were pleased to welcome Dr. Evan Graboyes, Dr. Kristin Higgins, and Kathryn Okrent to our Winter Meeting, where we finalized the PAC’s CTEP Concept & Protocol Review Forms. These tools will help ensure consistent, structured, and meaningful feedback across disease sites—and better align with NCORP advocate practices.
As new advocates join the committee, we’re fortunate to have experienced core members offering mentorship and support, further enriching the depth and diversity of expertise on the PAC. I’m grateful to those who have taken on leadership roles, and I look forward to their continued guidance for our incoming members.
This summer, with NRG’s support, we hosted our inaugural PAC Poster Session. Seven members presented on topics including community engagement, clinical trial barriers, advocacy-led fundraising, and patient-provider communication. Thank you to all who stopped by to ask questions, take photos, and connect with our presenters—it meant a great deal. The posters are available to view on the PAC page of the NRG Oncology website (click here and then scroll to the Resources section).
Looking ahead, we are building what we’re calling PAC 2.0. Our guiding theme for 2025 and beyond is Amplification—amplifying research funding, clinical trial recruitment, and community engagement. At the Summer Meeting, we began discussing how to use our voices to raise awareness about the critical importance of research funding. That same evening, I shared this message with the Chairs & Vice Chairs Committee: The people who are alive today because of cancer treatment are here because of research. We are deeply grateful for everything you do to carry this lifesaving work forward.
As Chair, I also want to acknowledge that being a patient advocate in a scientific setting is not always easy. Our committee is growing, with new core and general members joining this year. We are thankful to those who have shouldered a heavier review load during periods of low availability and are working to provide more sustainable support across all disease committees.
I’d also like to recognize Raechel Huff, our Administrative Coordinator, whose in-depth knowledge of NCORP, CTEP, and NRG operations has been instrumental in helping Marlyn and me navigate guidelines, processes, and decisions. Her contributions are a backbone of our committee's success.
Together with Vice Chair Marlyn Molero and a soon-to-be-confirmed Co-Vice Chair, I’m committed to building a culture of open communication—one in which advocates feel supported, aligned with the goals of the committees they serve, and fully integrated into the process, following our mantra: “Include us early and often.”
Finally, I believe effective advocacy begins with listening. My approach has always been to expand my understanding of patient experiences by asking questions, staying curious, and building trust. I invite all of us—advocates and researchers alike—to continue engaging in this spirit of mutual respect and shared purpose.
On behalf of PAC 2.0, thank you for the work you do each day to move research forward. We are proud to support you—and honored to be part of the NRG Oncology community.