Press Release
Feb 01, 2021
Chris Martin CMartin@DavidJamesGroup.com | 630-670-2745
DENVER- The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) has selected Augusta, Maine resident Debra Violette as a participant for the Supportive Training for Advocates on Research and Science (STARS) Program as a Patient Research Advocate (PRA).
The STARS program aims to help patient advocates evolve into patient research advocates—a distinction explained by a PRA’s ability to bring the patient voice to research-related efforts. PRAs work with clinicians and scientists to provide the patient perspective for lung cancer research and policy.
Violette was diagnosed in 1998 with stage III lung cancer at the age of 44. After her treatment, she began advocating and lobbying for more improved awareness and funding of lung cancer research. This effort led her to start The Free ME from Lung Cancer Foundation in 2012. Through her foundation, she raises money for research and early lung cancer screening and helps single-family low-income homeowners get access to radon air-abatement systems.
As part of her lung cancer journey, she has participated on the Department of Defense (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs peer-review panel. She was one of the first advocates to contribute to the DOD panel, which is now a well-established entity. She also has served as patient advocate for the NCI Lung SPORE program on behalf of The Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Additionally, she has also participated on clinical trial boards serving as patient advocate and serves on the Maine Lung Cancer Coalition Advisory Board.
STARS Mentors and PRAs will receive complimentary registration to attend the IASLC 2020 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), to be held virtually January 28-31, 2021. The WCLC is the largest international conference specific to lung cancer. To prepare for WCLC, Mentors and PRAs will participate in communication learning labs through Research Advocacy Network, education sessions and meetings with key opinion leaders in the lung cancer community.
About the IASLC:
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Founded in 1974, the association's membership includes nearly 7,500 lung cancer specialists across all disciplines in over 100 countries, forming a global network working together to conquer lung and thoracic cancers worldwide. The association also publishes the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of all thoracic malignancies. Visit www.iaslc.org for more information.
About the WCLC:
The WCLC is the world’s largest meeting dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, attracting more than 7,000 researchers, physicians and specialists from more than 100 countries. The goal is to increase awareness, collaboration and understanding of lung cancer, and to help participants implement the latest developments across the globe. The conference will cover a wide range of disciplines and unveil several research studies and clinical trial results. For more information, visit wclc2020.iaslc.org.