OVERVIEW OF SCIENTIST↔SURVIVOR PROGRAM

The purpose of the AACR Annual Meeting is to present the most timely and significant research results in all of the scientific disciplines relevant to cancer. The world’s leaders in cancer research will come together over five days to announce the latest progress in cancer detection, treatment, and prevention to an international audience of accomplished advocates, scientists, physicians, students, nurses and other health care professionals who are all dedicated to eradicating cancer.

Scientist↔Surivor Program 20th Anniversary | AACR Annual Meeting 2018 | April 14 – 18, 2018 | Chicago, IL

Annual Meeting Sessions:

Award Lectures: The recipients of AACR awards are invited to present their work at these prestigious scientific lectures.

Forums: The most provocative topics of interest to the cancer community are at the core of the forum sessions.

Late-Breaking Research Sessions: Time has been set aside for oral presentations and poster sessions based on papers of high quality and impact that were submitted after the abstract deadline. Including these late-breaking abstracts assures that the latest research is available to participants.

Meet-the-Expert Sessions: In these early morning sessions, prominent scientists give an overview of recent developments and prospects for further advances in their areas of expertise. Each session is highly interactive and provides attendees with an opportunity to engage in dialogue with a recognized leader in the field.

Minisymposia: A series of short presentations on timely and significant areas of cancer research are given by scientists whose submitted abstracts were accepted for oral presentation.

Plenary Sessions:Presenters will discuss the future of cancer research, cancer biology, tumor heterogeneity, immune therapies, pathway-targeted therapeutic and much more.

Poster Sessions:Attendees whose submitted abstracts display their latest work in poster format. The presenters are available at specified times to discuss their work with anyone interested.Scientist↔Survivor advocates will be presenting their posters at two poster sessions.

Educational Sessions: These sessions highlight a variety of cutting-edge issues in science.

Symposia: Invited speakers provide state-of-the-art updates on scientific issues of interest to a wide spectrum of investigators.

Scientist↔Survivor Program:The Scientist↔Survivor Program, held each year in conjunction with the Annual Meeting,offers survivor and patient advocatestremendous exposure to cutting-edge research and unparalleled opportunities to meet prominent cancer researchers from around the world. In addition, the focused curriculum of the program will help broaden participants’ understanding of fundamental topics in cancer research.

Opening Session:The opening session will begin with a welcomeand introduction to AACR followed by Cancer Mini Med School, a seminar by Dr. Carolyn Compton. Survivor advocates will then receive an overview of the Scientist↔Survivor Program.

Working Group Session:Members of each working group, will select scientific sessions and activities that relate to the educational mission of their organizations, personal educational goals, and work together to present their findings on their assisgned challenge question. All advocates must submit a tentative schedule to SSP staff by Sunday, April 15.

Survivor Advocate Dinner: The dinner gives program advocatesanopportunity to meet and network with advocates attending the Annual Meeting conference and sponsor representatives for the program.

Advocate Poster Sessions: The advocate poster sessions will be located in the poster hall alongside the scientific posters- sections 9 and 10. Advocates have an opportunity to post information about their respective organizations, their role in cancer research, advocacy, awareness and community intiativesThe sessionsis an opportunity to educate scientific attendees about advocacy.

Special Interest Sessions: These sessionsprovide a better understanding of fundamental topics in cancer research. Special Interest Sessions are not mandatory. Participant have the option to chose which sessions will benefit them. All sessions will be webcasted with permission of speaker.

Special Meeting for Advocates with the FDA : This sessionwill provide a better understanding of the Food and Drug Administration. This session is mandatory for advocates participating in the program.

Closing Session and Celebration: The closing session and celebration is an

acknowledgement ceremony of the advocate’s completion of the program and provides an overview of the topics explored during the meeting.

Scientist↔Surivor Program 20th Anniversary | AACR Annual Meeting 2018 | April 14 – 18, 2018 | Chicago, IL

ADVOCATEPROGRAM POLICY

Participants are required to attend the entire program beginning with the opening session on April 14, 2018 and conclude on April 17, 2018 with the Closing Session and Celebration.

A central goal of the Scientist↔Survivor Program is to provide survivor and patient advocates with comprehensive exposure to the scientists and the cutting-edge research at the AACR Annual Meeting.

Guests
Participants may not bring guests to Scientist↔Survivor Programactivities except for the Survivor Advocate Dinner and the Closing Session and Celebration or if permission is granted by program staff. Each participant may bring one guest. The AACR will not pay expenses or reimburse for any companions.

There is a spouse/guest registration fee for the annual meeting that will allow your guest access to the exhibits and events of the annual meeting but not to Scientist↔Survivor Programfunctions and sessions. (Please see the AACR website for more information.)

Shuttle ServiceBeginning Saturday, April 14 through Wednesday, April 18, shuttle buses will be provided between the convention center and designated AACR Annual Meeting hotels. Shuttle bus schedules will be posted in each hotel, at the convention center, and at the AACR Information Desks in the Convention Center. There will not be shuttle service for the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place as it is within walking distance from the convention center.

Meals
Most meals are provided as part of the program. Breakfast and lunch are provided daily in the Scientist↔Survivor resource room in the convention center. Additional meals included in the program are:

  • Survivor Advocate Dinner
  • Partners in Progress Reception
  • The President’s Dinner
  • The Closing Session and Celebration

AACR will not reimburse the cost of any alcoholic beverages, snacks & beverages, tips, and the cost of meals outside what is provided.

Lodging

The AACR will incur the cost of a room (room and tax) at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Any additional evenings prior or beyond the stated nights, will be your responsibility if permission has not been granted. You must pay for any incidental charges billed to your room, including telephone and laundry charges, room service, mini-bar, alcohol and tips.

The AACR will not reimburse:

  • The cost of rental cars
  • Hotel incidentals
  • Alcohol
  • Luggage
  • Fees associated with the advocate poster session

ALL receipts MUST be submitted to receive reimbursement.

FUTURE ANNUAL MEETINGS

MARCH 30 – APRIL 3, 2019
ATLANTA, GA

APRIL 25 – APRIL 29, 2020
SAN DIEGO, CA

SPONSORS

On behalf of the officers, directors and members of the American Association for Cancer Research, we thank the generous companies and organizations that sponsored the Scientist↔Survivor Program, thereby helping to forge partnerships to accelerate progress against cancer.

Scientist↔Surivor Program 20th Anniversary | AACR Annual Meeting 2018 | April 14 – 18, 2018 | Chicago, IL