2024
Alamo Advocate Program
In 1997, Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation established the Alamo Advocate Program in partnership with the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).
ABCF is privileged to be associated with the SABCS, the largest single cancer conference in the world.
Hot Topics Mentor Sessions
The Hottest Ticket at SABCS
Patient Advocates experience an intense learning environment at the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). In conjunction with the scientific sessions, advocates are provided with an opportunity to interact with leading medical experts during ABCF’s Hot Topics Mentor Sessions, which are held live on three consecutive evenings during the conference.
The panel of experts at the Mentor Sessions report on the most intriguing, valuable, and/or controversial research presented that day and then take questions from the in-person and virtual audiences. The Mentor Sessions, which are live-streamed, are the premier event for advocates attending SABCS, providing them the opportunity to interact with recognized breast cancer experts in an intimate learning environment.
Project LEAD Advanced Topics
The Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) partner for the Project LEAD Advanced Topics education class held at SABCS. This educational program, conducted by NBCC, helps patient advocates update their knowledge of basic, translational, and clinical science and prepares them for the sessions at SABCS.
American Association for
Cancer Research
ABCF also partners with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to present a live-streamed educational program for all patient advocates who attend SABCS, either in person or virtually. This lecture by a leading breast cancer researcher is designed to help patient advocates better understand the basic science of the disease.
FDA, Center for Excellence in Oncology
ABCF partners with AACR (Policy Division) and the FDA to provide patient advocates an opportunity to learn about programs at the FDA and to ask questions. This livestreamed meeting is open to all patient advocates.
Advocate Chats
Advocate Chats are prerecorded interviews between an advocate and an expert in cancer research, policy, or care. These chats, which are 15-to-45-minute discussions, are available for viewing on the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation YouTube Channel.
HISTORY
In 1997, Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation established the Alamo Advocate Program in partnership with the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).
ABCF is privileged to be associated with the SABCS, the largest single cancer conference in the world.
Why Alamo Advocates are Necessary
Educated Almo Advocates provide a unique perspective that cannot be duplicated by others. They are the ones who ultimately receive health care services and along with their families, are required to engage and navigate the complexities of the health insurance system. They have no agenda in the scientific community other than looking for the best science; they have no conflict of interest. Their perspective cannot be duplicated by the doctors who care for them or the scientists who search for answers, even if these doctors and scientists too are patients. A lay advocate perspective is key to moving forward to help end breast cancer.
The SABCS and Alamo Advocate Program usually takes place in early December of each year at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, but this year we will be virtual. By attending this conference, Alamo Advocates learn about the most recent breast cancer research so they can disseminate the information to their local organizations. ABCF is privileged to be associated with the SABCS, the largest single cancer conference in the world.
Background Information on the Alamo Advocate Program at SABCS
The program was originally conceived when Drs. Charles Coltman and Kent Osborne observed the increasing number of Alamo Advocates attending the SABCS to better understand the data affecting their advocacy efforts. In 1996, Drs. Coltman and Osborne approached the ABCF with the idea of a collaborative patient advocate program to be held annually in early December in conjunction with the SABCS. From their embryonic idea, the ABCF Patient Advocate Program was born.
Since 1997, ABCF has invited representatives from breast cancer Alamo Advocate organizations from around the world to apply for scholarships (provided they meet the scientific criteria) in order to attend the December SABCS conference plus the education and mentor sessions that ABCF holds for all patient advocates attending. To date, there have been over 800 applicants and ABCF has provided scholarships to over 636 patient advocates.
Historically the feedback on the Alamo Advocate Program has been outstanding. In 2006 the National Breast Cancer Coalition awarded the program the Best Practices in Breast Cancer Award for outstanding achievement and collaborative success. ABCF is very proud of this recognition and hopes to continue this level of impact on the advocacy community in the years to come. In addition, it is an honor that organizations in other countries have begun programs based on ABCF’s Alamo Advocate Program.
Advocates in Numbers
Starting in 1998 to the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium the Alamo Breast Cancer has been able to fund over 636 Alamo Advocates worldwide!
Each of our symposium scholarship recipients has their own story and home organization, and we are proud to have been able to bring them to the SABCS throughout the years. As we approach our 26th-anniversary of the Alamo Advocate program, we cannot help but think of how much this program has grown and where we will be in the next 20 years.
Thank you to all of our advocates and symposium committee members throughout the years. We cannot wait to see you again in the future and to welcome new advocates in the years to come.
Additional Advocacy Training Opportunities
