Last week, I was invited to speak about my advocacy work and my experience with ovarian cancer during the DOD Ovarian Cancer Academy . The Academy began in 2009 through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Ovarian Cancer Research Program (CDMRP OCRP). Dr. Michael Seiden stated “the amount of science that needs to be covered to really get a global understanding of ovarian cancer is massive...it brings special opportunities for researchers... because there’s a lot of room to make a difference, but it also requires the ovarian cancer community to work hard to recruit young scientists, young clinical researchers into the field because we need more individuals to commit their time, energy, and talent to the problem.” The Academy is a virtual career development process which provides early clinical investigators (ECI) from the US and abroad with mentors, networking and peer support. The leaders of the Academy (Dr Ronny Drapkin and Dr Kenneth Nephew) serve as a resource and foster collaboration among mentors and early investigators.
On Wednesday, I shared my story as a survivor and advocate along with advocates and survivors, Katy Loewy, and Rebecca Esparza. I was honored to be given an beautiful advocacy award from the Academy.
While I can't share the research ideas presented during the Academy, many of the proposals were basic research proposals that did not involve patients in clinical trials but research that took place in the lab using different models. There was an interesting discussion among the Academy leaders, mentors and ECIs regarding the use of different ovarian cancer cell lines, mouse models and patient tissue from tissue banks. I learned that it can take over two years to develop these models and this development is not covered by the grant proposals but must be funded by other means.
On Thursday, I took part in a mock grant review. We reviewed an early investigator's grant proposal and then presented our evaluation as we would during an actual grant review meeting. I found the research avenues taken by these early career investigators can have a major impact on the lives of women with ovarian cancer. The mentoring by experienced investigators will help to keep a pipe-line of ovarian cancer investigators full and it gives me great hope for the future. I can't thank Drs Drapkin and Nephew for this amazing opportunity.
It was a beautiful day on Thursday. That afternoon I had the chance go to the top of the Space Needle. Spectacular views!
What a way to end such an amazing trip.
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!
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