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Educate. Empower. Impact.

Are you ready to make a real difference in MPN research and advocacy?
Join our MPN Pathways: Empowered Voices in Research Training Series, a comprehensive program designed to educate, engage, and empower patients and caregivers. This series is your gateway to becoming a knowledgeable advocate who can influence and impact the future of MPN research.

PROGRAM DURATION: 
July 2024 –
September 2026

FORMAT:
Live quarterly webinars & recordings on-demand 

CERTIFICATION:
Certification received upon completion

Upcoming Webinar

Sears

Upcoming Session: Patient and Caregiver Voices in Research
August 14th, 2025
5 – 6 PM CST
 

Meet our expert speaker – Patty Spears, BS, FASCO, Research Patient Advocate, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil: 

Ms. Spears is a cancer research patient advocate bringing the experience as an over 20-year breast cancer and a 3-year liver cancer survivorShe has participated in two clinical trials including a HER2 vaccine clinical trial.   She is currently working as a patient advocate at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) where she leads the UNC Lineberger Patient Advocates for Research Council (PARC) and co-leads the Lineberger Excellence in Advocacy Program (LEAP)At UNC she focuses on communicating research to the public and facilitates the engagement of patient advocates with Lineberger researchers.  Ms. Spears has been an advocate for the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) since 2008, and is currently the Associate Group Chair for Advocacy for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and Chair of the Alliance Patient Advocate Committee. She is also a member of NCI’s Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee (CTAC), the Investigational Drug Steering Committee (IDSC), and is currently Co-Chair of the Patient Advocate Steering Committee (PASC).  Ms. Spears is the recipient of the AACR 2020 Distinguished Public Service Award for Advocacy, the ASCO 2022 Patient Advocate Award and the Susan G. Komen 2023 Research Advocacy Champion Award. In 2023 she became a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO). 

   Key Learning Objectives: 

  • Define patient research advocacy and recognize the value of incorporating patient and caregiver perspectives throughout the research process.

  • Identify meaningful ways patients and caregivers can drive innovation and enhance outcomes in MPN research.

  • Examine real-world examples of patient and caregiver engagement across the entire research and development continuum—from early-stage science to clinical trials and post-approval efforts.

  • Gain insights from MPN Research Foundation Patient Impact Council members who have actively shaped and influenced the direction of MPN research.

MPN Pathways – Schedule

Year 1 : Foundational Knowledge

Q3 2024
Speaker: Sara Douglas, MSN, RN, OCN
Intro MPN Research Foundation & MPN 101
Recording / Evaluation 

Q4 2024
Speaker:  Dr. Scott Weir, PharmD, PhD
The Life Cycle of Drug Development
Recording / Evaluation

Year 2 : Clinical Insights and Patient Advocacy

Q1 2025
Speaker: Christina Persaud, RN, BSN, CCRP
MPN Clinical Trials 101
Recording / Evaluation

Q2 2025
Speaker: Sarah Wicks
FDA 101
Recording / Evaluation

Q3 2025
Speaker: Patty Spears
Patients and Caregivers’ Voices in Research
Registration/Evaluation

Q4 2025
Speaker: TBD
Clinical Trial/Research Protocol 101

Year 3 : Advanced Topics and Practical Skills

Q1 2026
Speaker: TBD
Informed Consent

Q2 2026
Speaker: TBD
A Patient’s Guide to Scientific Presentations

Q3 2026
Speaker: TBD
Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life in MPNs

Certification Program

The MPN Pathways: Empowered Voices in Research Certification Program, made up of 9 expert-led webinar sessions, will be presented live every quarter through 2026. Participants will receive a certification upon completing the steps below, recognizing their commitment and expertise in MPN research advocacy: 

  1. WATCH – Participants must view all 9 webinars in the series to complete the program.
  2. EVALUATE – Participants will also be required to complete an online evaluation of each webinar after they attend the session live or view the recording which will be made available within the Webinar Library.
  3. CERTIFIED – Participants that complete all 9 webinar evaluations will receive an MPN Pathways: Empowered Voices in Research certificate via email that they can print and proudly display!


Evaluations can be accessed via email after each live session or on MPN Research Foundation’s website. Upon completing all 9 sessions and evaluations, participants will receive an MPN Pathways: Empowered Voices in Research certificate via email to print and display proudly!

Important Note: If you cannot attend the live webinars, don’t worry! All sessions will be recorded and made available to you.

Addressing your concerns

Time commitment
Our quarterly webinars and on-demand modules allow you to learn at your own pace. Each session is designed to be comprehensive yet manageable.
Content complexity
We break down complex topics into easy-to-understand segments, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can follow along and benefit.
Impact & Relevance
Every session provides actionable knowledge and resources directly applicable to your advocacy efforts. Your involvement can significantly shape the future of MPN research and treatment.
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