Current and former patients can help improve the way the South West Regional Cancer Program (SWRCP) offers educational assistance to those in its care.
The program will be hosting a patient education symposium from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Grayson Mills Event Centre in Stratford. It is open to those in the southwest region who are currently undergoing cancer treatment, as well as survivors, family members, and caregivers. The southwest region spans Grey, Bruce, Huron, Perth, Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, and part of Norfolk counties, with cancer care provided to roughly 1,000 patients a day.
"This really is an opportunity for us to engage patients and family members who have been through the cancer journey or are currently in their cancer journey to provide us with advice on how we should inform our education program throughout the southwest," said Tammy Quigley, SWRCP regional vice president.
The day long event will be broken down into four sections: navigating cancer and healthcare information, after treatment and survivorship, a community partner presentation from Wellspring, and discussion on regional patient education priorities for 2025-2026.
"About one in two of us in Ontario throughout our lifetime will be touched by cancer and so it's important for us to really spend this time making sure we're providing the best education to patients and families," said Quigley. "As healthcare professionals, we think we might know what people need in terms of education, but it really is those who we serve who have the most powerful voices in shaping our future."
Quigley hopes to have at least 50 people take part in the symposium. It is free to attend, but registration is required. Refreshments and lunch will be served during the event. In addition to in-person attendance, there are also a few virtual attendance spots available.
Feedback provided during the symposium will be compiled following the event.
"We will undertake a synopsis of the day in terms of themes and actions we will take, but it really is a working meeting to help us inform what we will provide upcoming for education in the next year," said Quigley.
Additional information about the event can be found by clicking here.