Network hosts its first Pan-Canadian Patient Forum to accelerate precision oncology education across Canada

The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN) hosted its first Pan-Canadian Patient Forum, bringing together patients, caregivers, researchers and clinicians from across the country to explore the promise of precision oncology—and the role of patients in shaping its future.

Organized by the Network’s Patient Working Group (PWG), the virtual forum—Precision Oncology: From Hope to Impact—was delivered in two sessions to reach Canadians in both official languages, with an English event on April 26 and a French event on May 3.

Designed by patients, for patients, the forum helped to share information on what precision oncology is, in language that was accessible to patients and caregivers across the country. Attendees heard directly from a diverse panel of experts and patient partners, who shared insights on how personalized approaches to cancer care are already making a difference—and what’s needed to expand access across Canada.

The English session featured remarks from Darrell Fox (Senior Advisor, TFRI), Dr. Isabel Serrano (Managing Directors, MOHCCN) and Jennifer Graham (PWG Member), as well as a panel that included Dr. Caroline Hamm (Medical Oncologist, WE-Spark Health, University of Windsor), Dr. Sachin Katyal (Senior Scientist, CancerCare Manitoba), and Dan Murphy (PWG Member).

The French-language session featured remarks from , Dr. André Veillette (Executive Director, MOHCCN), Lyne Benoit (Community and School Director, QC, Terry Fox Foundation) and Denis Peticlerc (PWG Member), as well as a panel that included, Dr. Antoine Desilets (Medical Oncologist, Centre hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal), Dr. Rodney Ouellette (Founder and Senior Scientist, Atlantic Cancer Research Institute) and Natalie Kwadrans (PWG member).

Both events were moderated by Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa, genomic scientist, medical doctor, breast cancer survivor and co-chair of the Patient Working Group.

Recordings of both event are now available, along with resources developed by the PWG to support patients, caregivers and families in learning more about precision medicine and the work of MOHCCN.

With its first Patient Forum, the Network is reinforcing its commitment to patient partnership—ensuring that lived experience helps guide research, accelerate innovation and ultimately improve outcomes for Canadians living with cancer.

Pan-Canadian Patient Forum (English)

Pan-Canadian Patient Forum (French)