Elizabeth Whamond

Liz Whamond has been living with a diagnosis of breast cancer since 1993. She is the co-founder of Breast Cancer Survivors Fredericton (a community-based support group). Later she co-founded the New Brunswick Breast Cancer Network and served as its First president from 1995 to 1997. She was also the first President of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network and has been actively involved in cancer advocacy activities at the national level.

Ms. Whamond is currently Chair of the Canadian Cancer Action Network. In 1996, the National Cancer Institute of Canada invited her to sit on its Peer Review Panel on Immunology. Three Canadians living with cancer were asked to participate in this pilot project and since that time, inclusion of the voice of survivors in peer review has become a regular practice. Ms. Whamond has graduated from Project Lead, a science-based training course developed by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (U.S.) designed to help breast cancer activists influence research and public policy processes.

Ms. Whamond has also been active at the international level. She is Chair of the international Cochrane Collaboration Consumer Network. The network is made up of fellow consumers who are committed to the philosophies of the Cochrane Collaboration and the importance of consumer participation in informed health-care decision-making processes.

Ms. Whamond lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick.