RCE-ESMO-ESO Training Course for Rare Cancer Patient Advocates 2019

From 29 November to 1 December 2019, Rare Cancers Europe will organise the next edition of the training course for rare cancer patient advocates.

Programme and registration

The Rare Cancer Patient Advocates Training Course will bring together rare cancers patient advocates, researchers and oncologists from across Europe to actively participate in brainstorming sessions, debates and workshops which can be used to maximise the impact of your advocacy group.

Throughout the three-day course, you will be able to meet other patient advocate leaders from national and international rare cancer patient advocacy groups, debate with experts, exchange best practices, learn from success stories and become acquainted with digital tools which can support your hard work. The Training Course can help you, regardless of your previous knowledge or experience, develop a stronger sense of understanding about advocacy and how it fits into a wider political context.

Please check here the preliminary RCE-ESMO-ESO Training Course for Rare Cancer Patient Advocates 2019 programme.

Register your interest in attending the event via this link: www.eventbrite.com

Kindly note that due to the limited number of places available your registration will be confirmed in the week of the 14-19 October 2019.

You are kindly advised not to make any travel arrangement before receiving a confirmation of your registration.

Like in the previous editions the Rare Cancer Patient Advocates Training Course will be organised in parallel with the 4th ESO-ESMO-RCE Clinical Update on Rare Adult Solid Cancers.

For any clarification requests please contact the RCE Secretariat: rarecancerseurope@esmo.org

Patient advocate travel grants available

RCE is delighted to offer a limited number of travel grants to enable European Cancer Patient Advocates to attend the 2019 edition of the RCE/ESO/ESMO Training Course for Rare Cancer Patient Advocates.

The deadline to apply for a travel grant is the 13th of October 2019.

Successful applicants will be notified on the 3rd week of October (14-19 October)

Eligibility is based primarily on financial need as well as advocacy background in rare cancers, experience and current activities. Applicants will need to demonstrate a financial need as to why they would not be able to attend the RCE training course without a scholarship award.

Priority will be given to patient advocates active in the rare cancers community who indicate that they work as volunteers on behalf of a non-profit organisation that provides programs, information, resources, and support for people affected by rare cancers (rather than directly employed by a non-profit organisation).

Scholarships are limited to up to 2 employees per organisation (there is no limit for those who volunteer on behalf of a non-profit organisation, academic institution, or serve as a patient advocate on a rare cancer research committee/panel/program).

By applying for and accepting travel grants, recipients must agree to (1) attend the full training course from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December; (2) provide a brief testimonial (200 words or less) at the conclusion of the meeting which summarises the recipient’s overall experience and the education they gained from attending the meeting. The testimonial should and; (3) agree that the testimonial or a portion thereof may be posted on the RCE websites.

How to apply

You can apply for a travel grant when you register your interest in attending the event via this link: www.eventbrite.com

Please kindly note that, if you apply for a travel grant, you will be tasked with writing a motivation letter (max 400 words) proving that part of your time is dedicated to rare cancers advocacy. All applicants should be proficient in English.

The deadline for application for a travel grant is set for 13th of October 2019, 23:59.

Additional requests received after the deadline, will be kept in a waiting list and processed at a later stage, based on the amount of financial support still available.

Each grant will reimburse travel & accommodation costs up to a maximum of 500 EUR.  Advocates awarded a travel grants will be asked to make their own travel and hotel reservations, paying all expenses up front. Reimbursements will be processed after the event, and upon receipt of original travel and accommodation bills/invoices.