sevtapsavas

Farewell message by the ACC PAC

After 2 years and 3 months of working together, sadly the ACC PAC (Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee) is coming to an end due to lack of funding.

During this time frame, our committee worked tirelessly to connect patient stories, scientific and medical knowledge, and priorities with the general public, scientists, clinicians and funders.

We are very proud of our accomplishments. Below you will find a summary of our work.

It has been an honour to advocate for you.

We wish you healthy and happy days – whatever happens, please remember that one day we will eliminate cancer via science and medicine.

Our key accomplishments:

MANUSCRIPT in PREPARATION

Sevtap Savas, Georgia Skardasi, Judy Donovan Whitty, Stephanie Howlett, John King, Cyndi Corbett, Jennifer Coish, Pauline McIntyre, Beverly Pausche, Angela Hyde, Marcelo F. Martinez, Cara MacInnis. “See the person and not just the tumor”: Cancer research ideas for Precision Medicine through the patient lens (in preparation)

PUBLISHED PEER-REVIEWED MANUSCRIPTS

Sevtap Savas, Georgia Skardasi, Aaron Curtis, Beverly Pausche, Jennifer Coish, John King, Cyndi Corbett, Marcelo F. Martinez, Judy Donovan Whitty, Sharon Jennings, Cara MacInnis, Angela Hyde. Cancer, Precision Medicine, and Atlantic Canada: A priority setting exercise by the Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee. Discover Health Systems, 2025, 4, 27.
Sevtap Savas, Georgia Skardasi, Aaron A. Curtis, Marcelo F. Martinez, John King, Cyndi Corbett, Judy Donovan Whitty, Gilles LeBlanc, Beverly Pausche, Jennifer Coish, Angela Hyde, Cara MacInnis. Patient advisory committee engagement in a precision medicine-focused public oncology conference: Case report of lessons learned. Journal of Primary Care and Community Health. 2026;17.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS MADE

Sevtap Savas, Aaron Curtis, Angela Hyde. The Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisor Committee (ACC PAC) – Creation and Goals for 2024. ARCC 2024 Conference, May 16-17, Ottawa, Canada (oral presentation by Savas)
Sevtap Savas, Georgia Skardasi, Aaron Curtis, John King, Jennifer Coish, Sharon Jennings, Marcelo Fabian Martinez, Cyndi Corbett, Cara MacInnis, Judy Donovan Whitty, Beverly Pausche, Gilles LeBlanc, Pauline McIntyre, Angela Hyde^.ACC PAC: A pan-Atlantic Canada patient and family advisory committee for Precision Medicine and cancer. CAPO 2025 annual meeting Toronto, Canada April 23-25, 2025 (poster presentation by Savas) Published in Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(4), 241; https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/4/241
Georgia Skardasi, John King, Judy Donovan Whitty, Beverly Pausche, Jennifer Coish, Cyndi Corbett, Cara MacInnis, Gilles LeBlanc, Marcelo Fabian Martinez, Aaron Curtis, Sevtap Savas. Goals, accomplishments, and future plans of the Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee. CCRC (Canadian Cancer Research Conference), Calgary, Alberta, Nov 2-4, 2025 (oral presentation by Skardasi and Coish)

ACCEPTED CONFERENCE ABSTRACT

Sevtap Savas, Georgia Skardasi. Creating a workspace that is responsive to member and project needs in a patient-scientist collaboration. Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) annual conference, June 8-9, 2026, St. John’s. NL. (accepted for oral presentation)

MEDIA ARTICLES and INTERVIEWS

Nov 27, 2023. “The Atlantic Cancer Consortium is inviting cancer-affected individuals to sit in their Patient Advisory Committee”. Saltwire/Telegram Letter. By Sevtap Savas and Aaron Curtis. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-the-atlantic-cancer-consortium-is-inviting-cancer-affected-individuals-to-sit-on-its-patient-advisory-committee-100915618/
April 10, 2024 “New pan-Atlantic Canada Patient Advisory Committee on precision medicine in cancer“. Saltwire LETTER by Aaron Curtis, Sevtap Savashttps://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-new-pan-atlantic-canada-patient-advisory-committee-on-precision-medicine-in-cancer-100955167/
March 3, 2025. Sevtap Savas, Georgia Skardasi. Telegram – Saltwire “LETTER: Public virtual conference to focus on cancer in NL set for March 15” https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-public-virtual-conference-cancer-nl
April 3, 2025. Sevtap Savas, Georgia Skardasi, Aaron Curtis. Telegram – Saltwire LETTER “Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee reflects on its successful year”, https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-atlantic-cancer-consortium-patient-advisory-committee-reflects-on-its-successful-year
July 2, 2025. “Good things happening in cancer research, cancer care”. Telegram – Saltwire – OP-ED. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/op-ed-good-things-happening-in-cancer-research-cancer-care/ By Georgia Skardasi, Sevtap Savas.
March 4, 2025. Sevtap Savas.Interviewed by Jen White, CBC Morning, St. John’s “A virtual conference in mid-March is focusing on the human side of cancer research and treatment” https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-56-st-johns-morning-show/clip/16131711-a-virtual-conference-mid-march-focusing-human-side-cancer
March 12, 2025. Georgia Skardasi. Interview by Paddy Daly – Open Line “Public Conference – Cancer is Personal: Humanizing Precision Medicine in Atlantic Canada” https://omny.fm/shows/open-line-with-paddy-daly/openline-wednesday-march-12th
March 14, 2025. Sevtap Savas. Interviewed by Gerri Lynn Mackey for the Tim Powers Show – VOCM. “Public Conference – Cancer is Personal: Humanizing Precision Medicine in Atlantic Canada” https://omny.fm/shows/timpowers/the-tim-powers-show-friday-march-14th

PUBLIC RECAPS

April 2, 2025. Georgia Skardasi and Sevtap Savas, MOH CCN website. Recap: Cancer is Personal: Humanizing Precision Medicine in Atlantic Canada public conference. https://www.marathonofhopecancercentres.ca/impact/story/recap–cancer-is-personal–humanizing-precision-medicine-in-atlantic-canada-public-conference
May 27, 2025. Georgia Skardasi, MOH CCN website. Patient partner recommendations for precision medicine and addressing cancer’s impact in Atlantic Canada https://www.marathonofhopecancercentres.ca/impact/story/patient-partner-recommendations-for-precision-medicine-and-addressing-cancer-s-impact-in-atlantic-canada

PUBLIC WEBINARS ORGANIZED

Nov 25, 2025 Speaker: Dr. Alexi Surette. Moderator: Gilles LeBlanc. Le consortium atlantique contre le cancer, le biobanquage et le reseau des centres de cancérologie Marathon of Hope du TFRI. 12 :30 – 1:30 pm NST. A virtual, free and public webinar organized by the Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee (ACC PAC) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZofHfMOr0E&t=1976s
Nov 28, 2025 Speaker: Dr. Sherri Christian. Moderator: Sevtap Savas. The Atlantic Cancer Consortium, Biobanking, and the TFRI Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network. 12 :30 – 1:30 pm NST. A virtual, free and public webinar organized by the Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee (ACC PAC) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaekKVNQi9I&t=261s

PUBLIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZED

Cancer is Personal: Humanizing Precision Medicine in Atlantic Canada (March 15, 2025)

(https://strength-in-community.ca/2025/02/18/conference-schedule-cancer-is-personal-humanizing-precision-medicine-in-atlantic-canada/)

ACC PAC YouTube CHANNEL

https://www.youtube.com/@ACCPAC_PatientAdvisoryCommitte

Currently 19 recordings are posted for free, public access.

March 21, 2026March 27, 2026 by sevtapsavas Categories: ACC PAC (Atlantic Cancer Consortium_Patient Advisory Committee) Leave a comment

The Public Interest Group on Cancer invites interested folks to their study!

under construction

March 18, 2026March 18, 2026 by sevtapsavas Categories: Public Interest Group on Cancer ResearchTags: Advocacy, Canada, cancer, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, Public Engagement, Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, St. John's Leave a comment

The 2nd scholarly manuscript by the ACC PAC is now published

We are pleased to note that we – the Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee (ACC PAC) – have just published our 2nd scholarly paper!! 💓

In this paper, we describe our experience with organizing a Public Conference on Precision Medicine (March 15, 2025) for Atlantic Canadians, self-reflections, feedback received and lessons learnt for future public partnerships and conferences

Take a look!!

What an impressive track-record – The ACC PAC was formed in Jan 2024, and this is our second manuscript peer-reviewed and published freely available to global audience

Congrats everyone – hope more to come!

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319261420572

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 by sevtapsavas Categories: ACC PAC (Atlantic Cancer Consortium_Patient Advisory Committee), BlogTags: Advocacy, advocate, Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee, Canada, cancer, Marathon of Hope, Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Patient advisors, PEI, Public Engagement Leave a comment

New study on patient-partner experience is recruiting!

We are conducting a pilot study on patient and public partnerships in Newfoundland and Labrador!

Please see the poster below – if you are interested in participating in this study, please proceed to the link for further information and participation: https://mun.yul1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4ZpWYf6SqoLk4vA

Patient Public Partnership Study (8.5 x 11 in)Download

February 6, 2026February 24, 2026 by sevtapsavas Categories: Blog Leave a comment

Community report for 2025 by the Public Interest Group on Cancer

Happy 2026 everyone!

Here is a little summary of our accomplishments for the past year – hope you will enjoy this video clip.

We wish you a wonderful 2026!

Sevtap

January 6, 2026January 6, 2026 by sevtapsavas Categories: Blog, Public Interest Group on Cancer Research Leave a comment

We have a logo!

Dear folks,

We are pleased to share our group’s logo with you!

We loved how it shows togetherness and feeling of community that we have been experiencing and seeing around us.

Happy New Year!

©Public Interest Group on Cancer.

PDF7 with copyright sign Download

December 29, 2025December 29, 2025 by sevtapsavas Categories: Blog, Public Interest Group on Cancer ResearchTags: Advocacy, Canada, cancer, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, Public Engagement, Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, Public Outreach, St. John's Leave a comment

ACC PAC webinars have started

The Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee (ACC PAC) is proud to note that it has started its webinar series.

In the first two webinars, the committee focused on the research done by the Atlantic Cancer Consortium.

The first webinar was delivered by Dr. Alexi Surette in French and the second one was delivered in English by Dr. Sherri Christian.

You can access these presentations here:

Better days ahead.

December 6, 2025 by sevtapsavas Categories: ACC PAC (Atlantic Cancer Consortium_Patient Advisory Committee)Tags: Advocacy, Biobanking, cancer, Marathon of Hope, Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, Precision Medicine, Public Engagement, Public Outreach Leave a comment

Cancer and young individuals: An advocate’s point of view

I am pleased to share with you my pre-recorded speech delivered as part of the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance conference (CCRC) held in Calgary, Canada between Nov 2-4, 2025.

Sadly I could not make it there in-person, but I am glad I had a prerecorded speech that could be played during the session.

You can access it here freely.

Better days ahead.

Sevtap Savas, Nov 5, 2025, St. John’s

November 5, 2025November 5, 2025 by sevtapsavas Categories: BlogTags: #CancerTrends, #ClinicalGuidelines, Advocacy, Canada, cancer, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Public Outreach, St. John's Leave a comment

Exceptional Leadership in Patient Involvement in Cancer Research Award

I am excited to note that I will be receiving the Exceptional Leadership in Patient Involvement in Cancer Research Award by the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA) in Nov 2025.

Congratulations to all awardees – what a great cohort of folks who are dedicated to make a difference at the cancer front!

I am so happy to bring this Award to Newfoundland and Labrador, and Atlantic Canada.

This prestigious and national award goes to you folks: Community in #NewfoundlandAndLabrador and in #AtlanticCanada, my collaborator colleagues and assistants, and our funders who transformed me into a public communicator and engager.

Over the last 6 years, together we have been working very hard to make a difference in the lives of people, families, and communities affected by cancer.

The Public Interest Group on Cancer Research has been particularly strong voice in Newfoundland and Labrador. It was formed and sustained by funding provided by the Office of Public Engagement in St. John’s, Memorial University of Newfoundland. Sadly, this wonderful unit, its excellent staff, and its funding do not exist anymore. This is just one example of how the budget cuts impact the community in NL – no one wins here.

The Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee is another successful partnership albeit being a young one (formed less than 2 years ago). I thank our funders/MOHCCN for making our work and committee a possibility.

NLSUPPORT has always been there to give us a hand – I cannot thank its wonderful staff.

Among all the units I am associated with at Memorial University, it has been my clinical colleagues at the Discipline of Oncology, who have fully supported and understood what I have been trying to do in my engagement work. Special thanks go to them.

I thank Quality of Care NL for nominating me for this award, and public partners, leaders, and colleagues supporting my nomination.

I always question where my heart and mind are. Nowadays they are with my family. My mom, Nimet Altunbas, died of cancer four years ago. My sister, Mehtap Savas, is a long term survivor of cancer. I would die for them.

I work very hard to make a difference in the lives of people affected (or will be affected) by cancer – I have no regret for working hard, failing, getting up, getting burnt out, and succeeding along the way. My only regret is that my family has not benefited and will not benefit from my hard work. From my young age on, they supported my ideals and not even once complained about me being away from them (since age 11). I proudly note that my sister Mehtap is my biggest supporter, as she understands the gap we have been addressing together with public partners in the lives of people affected by cancer.

Last, I am Turkish and I am an immigrant to Canada. This award is a testament to immigrants’ abilities and contributions to the society and academia in Canada. If there are other immigrant folks out there who would like to start public and patient engagement, please just go ahead – future is brighter.

My commitment to make things better for the next person and family affected by cancer is continuous. Please join me in supporting them in any way you can.

With gratitude

Sevtap Savas, PhD. Oct 21, 2025 St. John’s

————————————————–

In case you are wondering what we have been doing with public partners, here is a short summary

We have been spending a lot of time creating ideas, figuring out, conversing, and overcoming hurdles to do so
We have been reaching out to the public, engage with them, and share knowledge with them
We have been designing studies and public engagement activities to benefit the public
We have been advising researchers and other stakeholders
We have been organizing public events and conferences
We have been publishing all learnings at both the academic and public levels, so that anybody could benefit from our experiences
We have been learning how to best work together
We continuously progressed and evolved – we even started a public podcast on cancer with currently 28 episodes!

You can read my full award interview here: https://www.ccra-acrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025_Interview_SSavas_EN.pdf and listen to a snap shot of it in the YouTube video below.

October 21, 2025October 21, 2025 by sevtapsavas Categories: ACC PAC (Atlantic Cancer Consortium_Patient Advisory Committee), Blog, Public Interest Group on Cancer ResearchTags: Advocacy, Atlantic Canada, Canada, cancer, gratitude, Leadership award, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, NL, Public Engagement, Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, Public Outreach, regrets, St. John's Leave a comment

New publication by our Group!

We are excited to share our latest publication about our activities as the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research! 🙂

We invite you to take a look at our publication – see the link below.

https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/10/579

Our work since 2021 has shown that there is a need to reach out to public in our province. Specifically, there is a need to inform and empower folks about cancer.

In the last two years, we have been creating a guest blog and podcast series on cancer, lived experience, cancer care and research, and advocacy.

During this time frame, we have published 13 blog posts on our website and 28 podcast episodes on Spotify.

Each of these pieces includes genuine, cozy, and informative conversations and perspectives by 36 guests. We enjoyed working with them, listening to their stories, and exchanging perspectives – all to benefit the population-at-large in NL and beyond.

While 2 out of 3 guests are from NL, we also had guest from other provinces (NS, PEI, QC, BC, NWT) and other countries (England, Turkiye) – these guests helped us to see the wider view on the cancer front. We thank all of them for sharing their knowledge and wisdom with us.

Our podcast hosts included our group members – Jason Wiseman, Janine Taylor-Cutting, Tracy Slaney, and Sevtap Savas. Our coordinator Kayla Crichton helped edit all podcasts episodes, write their summaries, and hosted one episode. We had lots of fun 😊

We have done something with this project that was not done before in our province. And we are very proud of this.

Support by the Office of Public Engagement and NLSUPPORT staff is gratefully acknowledged. This project was possible because of the funds we received from the now-closed Office of Public Engagement in St. John’s campus, Memorial University. This office and its dedicated staff were critical in our success. We are unsure at the moment whether we can continue this and other group projects without funding. That is the sad reality of budget cuts.

We are incredibly honored to have published our experience, perspectives, and lessons learnt in this publication. It also gave us a unique opportunity to advocate for better public and patient contributor compensations globally.

This project has been fueled by care and compassion that we feel towards the people affected by cancer.

Cancer affects 2 in 5 people in our province. Its effects extend to family, friends, workplaces, and communities.

While we thought (and still think) that it is the obligation of the government of NL and the NL Health Services to inform and empower our population, we wanted to do our part as dedicated advocates.

Our group has been advocating for better cancer care, risk reduction, treatment, support services, and a system that works for all.

Please join us by reading the blogs, listening to our podcast episodes, and advocating for a better future in NL and beyond.

Thank you.

Sevtap Savas, PhD. October 19, 2025. St. John’s

October 19, 2025October 19, 2025 by sevtapsavas Categories: Public Interest Group on Cancer ResearchTags: Advocacy, blogging, Canada, cancer, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, NL, Podcasting, Public Engagement, Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, Public Outreach, St. John's Leave a comment

Author: sevtapsavas

Farewell message by the ACC PAC

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The Public Interest Group on Cancer invites interested folks to their study!

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The 2nd scholarly manuscript by the ACC PAC is now published

Like this:

New study on patient-partner experience is recruiting!

Like this:

Community report for 2025 by the Public Interest Group on Cancer

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We have a logo!

Like this:

ACC PAC webinars have started

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Cancer and young individuals: An advocate’s point of view

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Exceptional Leadership in Patient Involvement in Cancer Research Award

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New publication by our Group!

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