What does the IACR represent to you?
In the IACR I found like mind peers. I feel valued, very much part of the team and have made so many friends along the way. I have been supported as I have grown in confidence. I am constantly inspired by the dedicated and genuine people I meet. 

What does Patient Involvement mean to you?
If you had asked me when I started, I would have said I wanted to raise awareness and help those who came after me. I now realise it was also to help me heal and come to terms with all that happened.

What is your vision for IACR PPI?

• Raise the profile and awareness of PPI in Cancer Research in Ireland
• Increase PPI participation in the IACR Conference
• Ensure that IACR early career researcher has opportunities to engage with PPI

How can the IACR PPI do this?

• Be involved in designing conference sessions
• Have visible presence during the annual conference
• Involve and engage ethic minority groups and marginalised communities
• Support early career researchers in grant applications

What does the IACR represent to you? 
IACR represents an opportunity to see first hand the amazing research that is taking place here in Ireland, also as a patient it is an important opportunity to support this research and break down barriers between researchers and the public.

What does Patient Involvement mean to you?
The mantra goes “nothing for us without us” that is the essence of what PPI means to me as a patient and an advocate, without the input of patients for whom the research is ultimately supposed to benefit, valuable resources and time can be wasted, always find a way to engage with your target subjects before, during and post commencing your research, and to patients don’t be afraid of “what you don’t know, embrace what you will learn from engaging”.

What does the IACR represent to you? 
IACR represents a group of researchers, at different points in their research career, but with a common bond of passion for research. I can see it is more than “just a job”, it is a passion to ultimately impact in terms of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for people throughout Ireland who are diagnosed with cancer.

What does Patient Involvement mean to you?
Patient and carer involvement in research ensures the patient voice is central throughout the research process. It brings the expert knowledge of researchers into partnership working with patients and carers who are experts in living with the impact of cancer. This partnership working enhances and adds value to the research for benefit to patients and to excellence in health and social care.