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Community
Patient Partnership

People affected by cancer play an integral role in research about cancer.

Patients, families, and caregivers have important insights to shape cancer research for the better. Their lived experience can help align research priorities and processes with the needs of patients, ultimately leading to better cancer care.

OICR is committed to building strong partnerships with patients and amplifying their voices throughout the organization. Our Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) provides key guidance as we  deliver on our Patient Partnership Plan.

Patient partnership priorities

Bring the patient voice to OICR research

Build capacity for patient partnership

Share knowledge about patient partnership

Interested in joining OICR’s patient community?

Sign up here to be contacted about opportunities to get involved.

Patient and Family Advisory Council

In 2021, OICR established its Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). The PFAC will provide OICR with insight, feedback and expertise on issues regarding cancer research and patient partnership.

The PFAC will shape the patient partnership plan for OICR, which will include the development of a community of patients and patient organizations, the inclusion of Patient Partners on research steering/advisory committees and key projects, the creation of patient-focused educational resources, and other priorities the PFAC identifies.

We are proud to be working with this group of passionate and thoughtful patient leaders.

Beth Ciavaglia (Chair)
Beth Ciavaglia (Chair)

Beth is a physiotherapist, hospital manager and recent breast cancer survivor. While undergoing treatment, Beth completed her Masters in Heath Administration. She is a fierce advocate for the patient voice in all things, and has made it her priority to represent patients at the decision-making table.

Koko Bate Agborsangaya
Koko Bate Agborsangaya

Koko has led innovative research programs across industry, academia and government. Her recent community engagement efforts have focused on equity and inclusion, as well as fostering agency in young women affected by breast cancer. While 35 weeks pregnant at age 35, Koko was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. She is a mum, wife, sister, daughter and friend.

Carol Gordon
Carol Gordon

Carol was treated for late stage gynaecological cancer in 2013. She has a network of friends and family members who are patients or survivors. Professionally, she is an accountant (CPA) and financial analyst (CFA) and was recently Managing Director, Audit Services at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. She is also involved with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group.

Terry Hawrysh
Terry Hawrysh

Terry is a blood cancer survivor, professional engineer and passionate advocate for a healthcare system that can deliver superior healthcare outcomes consistently. He is currently engaged as a patient partner supporting an innovative blood cancer immunotherapy clinical trial program centered at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

Diana Lemaire
Diana Lemaire

Diana received a stage-3 colon cancer diagnosis, followed by surgical and systemic treatment accompanied with complications and further interventions. She is past co-chair of the PFAC for the London Regional Cancer Program, and is involved at Lawson Health Research Institute, the LRCP Cancer Executive Committee and the Patient Experience Advisory Committee at London Health Sciences Centre. Following a career as a registered dietitian, Diana pursued an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Emily McIntosh
Emily McIntosh

Emily has a Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the University of Guelph. Her use of primary research to make complex health decisions helped save her life when she was faced with a brain cancer diagnosis. She now guides other patients through their diagnoses and is passionate about research translation and health equity.

Remembering Jill Hamer-Wilson

Jill Hamer-Wilson, who was a tireless advocate for lung cancer patients and a prominent patient partner in cancer research, passed away in November 2022. She served on OICR’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and also worked with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, the International Lung Cancer Foundation, Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network, the Canadian Cancer Society and the White Ribbon Project. Read more about Jill Hamer-Wilson’s contributions to patient partnership.

Overview of OICR and our approach to Patient Partnership

If you’re new to OICR and/or Patient Partnership, this video offers a great introduction to both topics

Resources for Patients

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