Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisors

What is the Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisor Program?

Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisors are individuals who have a personal experience with cancer, including patients, family members, people living with cancer and caregivers. Advisors share their diverse perspectives and lived experiences as a patient, family or caregiver to ensure the Partnership’s work reflects the needs and realities of people affected by cancer and improves cancer outcomes for all people in Canada.

Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisors help inform programs and projects across the cancer care continuum, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care and supportive caregiving. Advisors may participate in various activities, including networks, working groups, conferences and focus groups or contribute to surveys, reports and other communications.

It’s very important to share my story, share what I have learned and share my experiences in hopes that it will help people across the country to understand and then have implementation or resources available for people to strive and do better and be able to have better outcomes after or during their treatments.”

Sundas Shamshad – Partnership Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisor

The Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisor Program is grounded in the International Association of Public Participation’s participation spectrum, which ensures meaningful engagement and collaboration with Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisors. Together, we identify ways to improve cancer outcomes while advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation.

How to become a Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisor

If you are interested in becoming a Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisor, please view the Work with Us section of the website for open opportunities.

I decided to be a family caregiver advisor because I needed to make sense and meaning out of our tragic loss. It was one way where we could give back. One of the conversations that I had with my husband when he was newly diagnosed, and we were talking about how we will walk this road together. I said you know what, no matter the outcome, we can at least be a good example for others.”

Marie Soprovich – Partnership Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisor

Meet our advisors

The Partnership engages Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisors to help inform programs and projects across the cancer care continuum, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care and supportive caregiving. Meet our advisors.