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!
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.
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. “Exchange of Knowledge: Public interest group working to bridge cancer knowledge gap” Sept 21, 2022. Editor: Mandy Cook
Sevtap Savas. The Wahl Show – VOCM. Host: Dr. Mike Wahl “Public Conference on Cancer”. Sept 15th, 2022 (starting at around the 20th minute)
Sevtap Savas, Etchegary H, Stuckless T, Follett A, Whitten C, John King, Darrell Peddle, P. Eng., Derrick Bishop, and other community members of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research. “Free Public Conference on Cancer for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador”. NLSUPPORT Newsletter, NL, Canada, September 2022.
Sevtap Savas, Namiko Sakamoto, Derrick Bishop, and Jason Wiseman. The CBC CrossTalk; interview by Bernice Hillier. “Public Interest Group on Cancer Research” June 16, 2022 (starting around 16th min)
Sevtap Savas and Janine Cutting. The Wahl Show – VOCM; Interview by Dr. Mike Wahl “Public Interest Group On Cancer Research & Cancer Rates in the Province” June 2, 2022
Sevtap Savas – CBC guest column “As the pandemic drags on, we cannot afford delays in cancer treatment“- April 30, 2022
Sevtap Savas and Deanne Roy. Interview by Ramraajh Sharvendiran – CBC Morning – St. John’s; “Action needed to address negative effects of COVID-19 on cancer patients in Newfoundland and Labrador” April 21, 2022
Sevtap Savas, Holly Etchegary, Cindy Whitten, John King, Jason Wiseman, Deanne Roy, Darrell Peddle, and Derrick Bishop – Telegram LETTER: Action needed to address negative effects of COVID-19 on cancer patients in Newfoundland and Labrador – April 14, 2022
2021
Sevtap Savas, Holly Etchegary, Teri Stuckless, Rebecca Roome, and Doug Smith. Gazette – Unprecedented resource: Cancer patients directly informing work of public research group– July 27, 2021