Advocacy in the News

Advocacy on behalf of cancer patients and families is very important to me. I believe in supporting all members of the community and providing a voice to those who need it most.

Our opinions have been featured several times in the news with the goal of opening the dialogue on far-reaching issues. These opinions, of course, are influenced and shaped by the interactions with the public and patient partners – therefore, they are the real advocates.

Check out our latest advocacy activities below!

2026

Sevtap Savas. Saltwire LETTER. “Government needs to better promote awareness on cancer and cancer care in NL”.https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-government-needs-to-better-promote-awareness-on-cancer-and-cancer-care-in-nl (April 10, 2026)

Sevtap Savas, Interview by Cameron Kilfoy, Saltwire, “MUN cancer research group forced to halt work after funding ends”. . https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/mun-cancer-research-funding-ends (invited) (April 10, 2026)

Beverly Pausche, Georgia Skardasi, John King, Stephanie Howlett, Cyndi Corbett, Jennifer Coish, Judy D. Whitty, Sevtap Savas. Saltwire / Telegram LETTER. “Science borrows a page from art: Farewell message by the Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee.” https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-science-borrows-a-page-from-art-farewell-message-from-the-atlantic-cancer-consortium-patient-advisory-committee (March 27, 2026)

Sevtap Savas. “Study on patient and public partners in health research”, interview with Tim Powers (VOCM – the Tim Powers show), https://www.spreaker.com/episode/thursday-march-26th-2026–70922082 (43’ – 47.30’) (invited) (March 26, 2026)

Tracy Slaney, Sevtap Savas. “Local advocate shares family’s story during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month“. Interview by Becky Daily. NTV News. https://ntv.ca/news/local-advocate-shares-familys-story-during-national-colorectal-cancer-awareness-month/ (March 4, 2026)

Sevtap Savas. “World Cancer Day”, interview by Tim Powers (VOCM – the Tim Powers show) https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/wednesday-feb-4th/id1736812902?i=1000748432629 (33.40-40.25) (Feb 4, 2026 )              

Tracy Slaney and Sevtap Savas. Telegram- Saltwire LETTER. “Honouring those affected by cancer and their caregivers”. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-honouring-those-affected-by-cancer-and-their-caregivers (Jan 27, 2026)

Sevtap Savas and Holly Etchegary. Telegram- Saltwire OP-ED. The Public Interest Group on Cancer’s community report for 2025. ,https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/op-ed-the-public-interest-group-on-cancers-community-report-for-2025 (Jan 6, 2026)

2025

Sevtap Savas. Letter, Telegram-Saltwire. Work involving patients in cancer research recognized by national award. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-work-involving-patients-in-cancer-research-recognized-by-national-award (Nov 10, 2025)

Kayla Crichton. Season 2 of The Public Interest Group on Cancer Research Podcast continues to connect people and share stories and knowledge on cancer. NLSUPPORT letters/blog. https://nl-support.medium.com/season-2-of-the-public-interest-group-on-cancer-research-podcast-continues-to-connect-people-and-3fe5ee5d47cd (Sept 16, 2025)

Sevtap Savas, Kayla Crichton. LETTER: “Blog series explores topics around cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador”. Telegram –  Saltwire, https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-blog-series-explores-topics-around-cancer-in-newfoundland-and-labrador. (August 27, 2025).

Sevtap Savas. Telegram – Saltwire Letter. “Budget cuts at Memorial hurts all of us“. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-budget-cuts-at-memorial-university-hurt-all-of-us (July 30, 2025)

Georgia Skardasi, Sevtap Savas. “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/ (July 2, 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 (April 3, 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 between 40.20″ – 46.16″ (March 14, 2025) (invited)

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 between 54.25’ –  1.02.45’ (March 12, 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 4, 2025) (invited)

Sevtap Savas. Interviewed by Yumna Iftikhar for her piece “Researcher says national database will benefit N.L. cancer patients” The Independent. https://theindependent.ca/news/researcher-says-national-database-will-benefit-n-l-cancer-patients/ (February 27, 2025) (invited)

Sevtap Savas -Interviewed by Cameron Kilfoy, Telegram-saltwire. “He survived childhood cancer – now what?” https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/how-childhood-cancer-impacts-adulthood (Feb 6, 2025) (invited)

Sevtap Savas. “World Cancer Day“. Interviewed by Tim Powers/VOCM. https://omny.fm/shows/timpowers/the-tim-powers-show-tuesday-feb-4th between 21.40’ – 32.08’ (February 4, 2025)

Sevtap Savas. “World Cancer Day“. Interviewed by Paddy Daly, Openline-VOCM https://omny.fm/shows/open-line-with-paddy-daly/openline-tuesday-feb-4th#description between 41.52’ – 51.40’ (February 4, 2025)

Sevtap Savas, Kayla Crichton, Tracy Slaney, Jenn Coish. Letter, Telegram – Saltwire. “Advocating for NL cancer patients on World Cancer Day” https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/nl-world-cancer-day (Feb 3, 2025)

Tracy Slaney & Sevtap Savas. Interviewed by Becky Daley. “Advocate calls for more support for cancer patients” https://ntv.ca/advocate-calls-for-more-support-for-cancer-patients/ (Feb 2, 2025)

Sevtap Savas. Interviewed by Bernice Hillier, CBC Newfoundland Morning radio. “Researcher studies how cancer effects people who are younger than 18“. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-210-cbc-newfoundland-morning/clip/16122895-researcher-studies-cancer-effects-people-younger-18 (Jan 22, 2025)           

Sevtap Savas – Interviewed by Cameron Kilfoy, Telegram/Saltwire. “‘Our life has revolved around cancer’: NL has highest rate of colon cancer in the world” https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/our-life-has-revolved-around-cancer-nl-has-highest-rate-of-colon-cancer-in-the-world (invited) (Jan 17, 2025)

Sevtap Savas, Kayla Crichton, Jocshan M. Loaiza, Holly Etchegary, John King. “Working to make a positive difference for people in NL impacted by cancer” Telegram – Saltwire, Opinion Letter https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/letter-working-to-make-a-positive-difference-for-people-in-nl-impacted-by-cancer (Jan 6, 2025)

2024

Sevtap Savas, Krista King. “Lessons from public event on workplace experiences and rights of cancer patients in NL”, Telegram – Saltwire, Opinion Letter. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-lessons-from-public-event-on-workplace-experiences-and-rights-of-cancer-patients-in-nl-101009604 (Nov 26, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. Interviewed by Paddy Daly / VOCM Open Line. Workplace experiences and rights of cancer patients in NL. https://omny.fm/shows/open-line-with-paddy-daly/openline-wednesday-nov-20th (between 55’ –1.06’) (Nov 20, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. Host: Tim Powers / VOCM The Tim Powers show. Workplace experiences and rights of cancer patients in NL.  https://omny.fm/shows/timpowers/the-tim-powers-show-wednesday-nov-13th (between 12.50’– 21.20’) (Nov 13, 2024)

Krista King, Sevtap Savas. “Free event planned on workplace experiences and rights of individuals diagnosed with cancer in N.L.” Telegram – Saltwire Opinion Letter. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-free-event-planned-on-workplace-experiences-and-rights-of-individuals-diagnosed-with-cancer-in-nl-101003306/ (Oct 28, 2024)

Sevtap Savas, Holly Etchegary, Derrick Bishop. “Whose job is it to enact change for the benefit of the population?”, Telegram – Saltwire Opinion Letter. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-whose-job-is-it-to-enact-change-for-the-benefit-of-the-population-101000633/ (Oct 16, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. Out of the Fog, Rogers TV. Host: Laurabel Mba. https://www.rogerstv.com/show?lid=12&rid=24&sid=643&gid=662246 (October 2, 2024)

Kayla Crichton. NLSUPPORT Medium Post. “Podcast explores cancer, our stories, and our communities“. https://medium.com/support-letters/podcast-explores-cancer-our-stories-and-our-communities-85eabf61e287 (Sept 16, 2024)

Sevtap Savas, Kayla Crichton, Janine Taylor-Cutting, Jason Wiseman. “Podcasting as a community outreach tool in cancer“. Public Understanding of Science Blog: https://sagepus.blogspot.com/2024/09/podcasting-as-community-outreach-tool.html (Sept 11, 2024)

Sevtap Savas, Jocshan M. Loaiza. Saltwire/Telegram Opinion. “What we’ve learnt about transgender individuals and their experience with cancer?” https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-what-weve-learned-about-transgender-individuals-and-their-experience-with-cancer-100988267/ (August 21, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. Global News Halifax interview. https://globalnews.ca/video/10642777/most-inspiring-immigrants-sevtap-savas/ (July 25, 2024)

Kayla Crichton. Telegram/Saltwire LETTER. “Podcast discusses cancer through stories and resilience in Newfoundland and Labrador”. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-podcast-discusses-cancer-through-stories-and-resilience-in-newfoundland-and-labrador-100980405/ (July 18, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. CBC Newfoundland Morning Radio. “MUN researcher tells us what needs to be done to better support trans people who have cancer”. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-210-cbc-newfoundland-morning/clip/16070409-mun-researcher-tells-needs-done-better-support-trans (May 27, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. CBC St. John’s Morning Radio. “MUN researcher tells us what needs to be done to better support trans people who have cancer”. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-56-st-johns-morning-show/clip/16070360-a-researcher-memorial-university-thinks-needs-done-better (May 27, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. Invited to speak briefly about the age reduction for breast cancer screening on NL (alive TV – CTV Toronto) (May 17, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. Open Line with Paddy Daly – invited to speak about the reduction of the age for breast cancer screening in NL: https://omny.fm/shows/open-line-with-paddy-daly/openline-thursday-may-16th (between 2.09.31 and 2.17.50) (May 16, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. CBC On The Go – invited to speak briefly about the reduction of age for eligibility for breast cancer screening program in NL: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-47-on-the-go/clip/16067828-breast-cancer-screening-40 (May 15, 2024)

Accompanied with the CBC article published on May 17^th: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/savas-breast-cancer-screening-age-1.7206286

Aaron Curtis, Sevtap Savas. “Knowledge, experience, and perspectives – Public – scientist partnership taking precise aim at cancer in Atlantic Canada”. Gazette, https://gazette.mun.ca/public-engagement/knowledge-experience-perspectives/ (May 8, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. “I am a cancer researcher. When the disease hit close to home, I was overwhelmed with guilt”. CBC NL First Person. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/sevtap-savas-cancer-1.7174967 Edited by John Gushue and Daniel MacEachern (May 5, 2024)

Jocshan Loaiza, Charlie Murphy, and Sevtap Savas. “Trans Dudes with lady Cancer: Documentary Screening, panel discussion on transgender individuals and cancer.” Gazette: https://gazette.mun.ca/campus-and-community/trans-dudes-with-lady-cancer/ (April 24, 2024 )

Sevtap Savas, Jocshan Loaiza, Charlie Murphy. Via NLSUPPORT (about the Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion event on Transgender Individuals and Cancer. https://mcusercontent.com/197e075294502eef8784b0e90/files/054b6ce8-8c1f-c4f3-8708-adebfcc15d51/Doc_Transgender_Individuals_with_Cancer.pdf (April 17, 2024)

Sevtap Savas, Jocshan M. Loaiza, Charlie Murphy. “Learning about the cancer experiences of transgender persons and the current state of the oncology care in N.L.” Saltwire Letter. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-learning-about-the-cancer-experiences-of-transgender-persons-and-the-current-state-of-the-oncology-care-in-nl-100957785/ (April 18, 2024)

Aaron Curtis, Sevtap Savas. “New pan-Atlantic Canada Patient Advisory Committee on precision medicine in cancer“. Saltwire LETTER https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-new-pan-atlantic-canada-patient-advisory-committee-on-precision-medicine-in-cancer-100955167/ (April 10, 2024)

Sevtap Savas. “Why is there more cancer in younger patients? A scientist explains” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/sevtap-savas-young-patient-cancer-1.7107372. Edits by John Gushue (Feb 10, 2024)

Sevtap Savas, John King, and Jason Wiseman. “Annual Community Report by The Public Interest Group on Cancer Research”. NLSUPPORT. https://medium.com/support-letters/annual-community-report-by-the-public-interest-group-on-cancer-research-7fd4b016a1bf  (Jan 17, 2024)

Sevtap Savas, John King, and Jason Wiseman. “Collaborations between public members and scientists on cancer – from research and education to generating public and academic knowledge”. Saltwire/Telegram letter. https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/opinion/letter-collaborations-between-public-members-and-scientists-on-cancer-from-research-and-education-to-generating-public-and-academic-knowledge-100925051/ (Jan 3, 2024)

Draft news item by Sevtap Savas. “Public Interest Group on Cancer Research marks successful year”, Newfound NEWS. https://www.newfoundnews.ca/post/public-interest-group-on-cancer-research-marks-successful-year (Jan 3, 2024)

Sevtap Savas and Melanie Vokey. “New Memorial University study aiming to identify lived cancer experiences of members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in N.L.” Saltwire/Telegram letter. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/letter-new-memorial-university-study-aiming-to-identify-lived-cancer-experiences-of-members-of-the-2slgbtqia-community-in-nl-100925352/ (Jan 3, 2024)

2023

Sevtap Savas, Aaron Curtis. Saltwire/Telegram Letter. “The Atlantic Cancer Consortium is inviting cancer-affected individuals to sit in their Patient Advisory Committee”. 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/ (Nov 27, 2023)

Interview by Jenna Head, Saltwire News (Sevtap Savas). “‘It doesn’t ignore us, so why should we ignore it?’ N.L. cancer scientist calling for information campaign amid family doctor shortage”. https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/news/it-doesnt-ignore-us-so-why-should-we-ignore-it-nl-cancer-scientist-calling-for-information-campaign-amid-family-doctor-shortage-100905925/ (October 27, 2023)

Sevtap Savas. NLSUPPORT newsletter. “Designing and delivering public engagement activities together with patient partners“. Research Spotlight | Designing and delivering public engagement activities together with patient partners | by NL SUPPORT | Sep, 2023 | Medium (Sept 14, 2023)

Sevtap Savas and John King. Saltwire Letter.  “N.L. patient-scientist partnership continues to create scholarly knowledge on cancer and public engagement” https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/opinion/letter-nl-patient-scientist-partnership-continues-to-create-scholarly-knowledge-on-cancer-and-public-engagement-100887355/ (August 30, 2023)     

Sevtap Savas.  The Health Design Podcast, Host: Dr. Moyez Jiwa (invited) (recorded on May 16, 2023)

Sevtap Savas. VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly. “Stigma associated with cancer in NL” https://soundcloud.com/vocm/openline-wednesday-july-5th-1 (31.40′- 44.30′) (July 5, 2023)

Sevtap Savas.  CBC Newfoundland Morning Show with Martin Jones. “Stigma associated with cancer in NL” https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-210-cbc-newfoundland-morning/clip/15993935-mun-researcher-sevtap-savas-studies-stigma-around-cancer?share=true  (June 27, 2023)

Sevtap Savas. CBC St. John’s Morning Show with Krissy Holmes. “Stigma associated with cancer in NL” https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-56-st-johns-morning-show/clip/15993857-the-burden-stigma-cancer-patients (June 27, 2023)

Sevtap Savas, Teri Stuckless, Eric Tenkorang. Gazette “Eliminating stigma: Misconceptions can burden individuals living with cancer, researchers says”, https://gazette.mun.ca/research/eliminating-stigma/. Editor: Mandy Cook (June 22, 2023) 

Sevtap Savas. Saltwire, Commentary – What do cancer-affected individuals experience in N.L.? https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/lifestyles/commentary-what-do-cancer-affected-individuals-experience-in-nl-100862689 (June 16 2023)

Sevtap Savas and Krista King. The Hulk Caesar Show, CHMR. “Studying social and workplace lived experiences of cancer-affected individuals in NL” https://ia601602.us.archive.org/8/items/2023-05-24-dr-sevtap-savas/2023-05-24%20Dr%20Sevtap%20Savas.mp3 (May 24, 2023)

VOCM news item: https://vocm.com/2023/05/17/cancer-study-lived-experience/ (May 17, 2023)

Sevtap Savas. Open Line VOCM – Host:  Paddy Daly. “Studying social and workplace lived experiences of cancer-affected individuals in NL” https://soundcloud.com/vocm/openline-tuesday-may-16th-2?in=vocm/sets/vocm-openline&si=d3c36f38fcc04f9fad3928c45b9cea11&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing (1.17 – 1.26 min) (May 16, 2023)

Sevtap Savas. Telegram/Saltwire. Commentary: “Programs like N.L.’s Provincial Cancer Care Program can help with health-care crisis through advanced screenings, support“. saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/opinion/local-perspectives/commentary-programs-like-nls-provincial-cancer-care-program-can-help-with-health-care-crisis-through-advanced-screenings-support-100831419/ (March 8, 2023)

Sevtap Savas. Telegram/Saltwire. Commentary: “Cancer research public interest group reflects on busy 2022 in Newfoundland and Labrador”. https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/opinion/local-perspectives/commentary-cancer-research-public-interest-group-reflects-on-busy-2022-in-newfoundland-and-labrador-100810620/ (Jan 3, 2023)

2022

Sevtap Savas. CBC NL. “I’m a cancer scientist, and the state of our healthcare worries me”. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cancer-scientist-state-of-health-care-1.6661212 (Nov 26, 2022)

Sevtap Savas. CBC NL TV – News. “Radiation therapy staff shortage”. Interviewed by Jeremy Eaton, November 15, 2022. Also in “Flying to Toronto for cancer treatment because of staff shortage not an easy decision, says N.L. woman”, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cancer-care-toronto-reax-1.6652500 (Nov 16, 2022)

Sevtap Savas, Derrick Bishop, Jennifer Shea, Lisa Blundell, and Lynette Hillier. CBC Crosstalk. Host: Adam Walsh. “Public Conference on Cancer”. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-89-crosstalk/clip/15942137-cancer-the-science-lived-experience-layers-care October 13, 2022

Sevtap Savas and Jennifer Shea. CBC Newfoundland Morning Show. Host: Janice Gaudie. “Public Conference on Cancer”. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-31-labrador-morning/clip/15941818-joe-goudie-contract-talks-steelworkers-public-conference-cancer (starting around the 49th minute) October 12, 2022

Sevtap Savas. CBC St. John’s Morning Show. Host: Krissy Holmes. “Public Conference on Cancer”. October 12, 2022

Sevtap Savas. CBC Newfoundland Morning Show. Host: Bernice Hillier. “Public Conference on Cancer”. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-210-cbc-newfoundland-morning/clip/15941860-everyone-knows-something-help-public-conference-cancer. October 12, 2022

Sevtap Savas. The Open Line, VOCM. Host: Paddy Daly. “Public Conference on Cancer”. https://soundcloud.com/vocm/openline-thursday-oct-6th-1?in=vocm/sets/vocm-openline (starting around the 37th min – ~10 min). October 6, 2022

Sevtap Savas, Holly Etchegary, Teri Stuckless, Alicia Follett, Cindy Whitten; John King, Darrell Peddle, Derrick Bishop and other community members of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research.   Commentary: “What is it like to live with cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador?” Telegram. September 27, 2022.