Highlights from GLCC Member Presentations: Strengthening Advocacy, Nursing Leadership and Global Collaboration
The Global Lung Cancer Coalition’s Annual Members’ Meeting continued with a series of powerful presentations showcasing the depth, diversity and determination of lung cancer advocates across the world.
The Role of Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists
Karen Clayton, representing Lung Cancer Nursing UK, delivered an impactful presentation on the essential role of lung cancer nurse specialists.
She emphasised that these specialist nurses are “absolutely paramount” in ensuring patients and carers receive comprehensive support — not only for their clinical and physical needs, but also for emotional, psychological and practical care. Reflecting on the importance of this role, Lauren Pretorius (South Africa) added: “If I had a dream for my patients, this would be it.”
25 Years of the Global Lung Cancer Coalition
Caroline ‘Bo’ Aldige, Founder and CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, revisited the Coalition’s 25‑year journey, highlighting key achievements including:
- The annual Journalism Award
- Global consumer polls
- The Patient Experience Survey
- The Global State of Lung Cancer Research
- The E‑atlas
- The screening micro‑site
Bo also noted the Coalition’s continued growth, now representing 44 member organisations across 32 countries, and expressed gratitude to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation for providing secretariat support since 2005.
IASLC Patient Advocacy Committee Update
Patient Advocate Merel Hennink, of Longkanker Nederlands, presented an overview of the work of the IASLC Patient Advocacy Committee, which is advancing several projects through small, focused working groups. Members were encouraged to explore the initiatives currently underway.
United in Our Goals – Lung Connect India Foundation
Ambar Shrivastava of Lung Connect India Foundation introduced the United in Our Goals campaign, addressing critical challenges in lung cancer advocacy, including siloed efforts, persistent stigma, information gaps and policy deficits. The campaign aims to strengthen collaboration and unify advocacy voices across regions.
Early Detection of Small Cell Lung Cancer in Women
Bernard Gaspar of Asociación Espanola De Afectados De cancer De Pulmón shared details of an international meeting focused on the early detection of small cell lung cancer in women — a vital pathway to improving survival and quality of life. His message was clear and urgent: It is Time to Breathe. And Time to Act.
