Press Release: Irish Cancer Society selected to showcase Patient Partnership in cancer research at world’s largest oncology conference
- Irish Cancer Society (ICS) is the only Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) in Ireland to have been selected to attend ASCO, and one of two in the EU
- ICS shared its approach to working with Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI) to embed patient partnership in cancer research and care with the global oncology community
Dublin, 2nd June 2026: The Irish Cancer Society shared its leading approach to Public and Patient Partnership in cancer care to a global audience at ASCO, the world’s largest oncology conference.
The Irish Cancer Society was the only Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) in Ireland and one of two PAGs in the European Union selected to attend the annual conference and to showcase their work in partnership with Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI) to the international oncology community.
Claire Kilty, Head of Research at the Irish Cancer Society said: “In oncology, Public and Patient Partnership means that cancer research is carried out with meaningful input from cancer patients, gaining from their lived experience, insights and knowledge.
“At ASCO, the Irish Cancer Society showed the international clinical research community how we are embedding patient partnership into clinical practice, clinical care and into the research decision-making process. The partnership model is unique as we are not piloting in isolation. We are building a scalable, national model and sharing it across cancer centres, while also contributing to European frameworks through the Organisation of European Cancer Institutions (OECI).
“In partnership with Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, we work to ensure that cancer patients in Ireland have the opportunity to be involved in cancer research. This advances the quality and impact of cancer research and care, ensuring that it better meets patient’ needs.”
Gráinne Smith, Ireland’s first Public and Patient Partnership Lead, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, said: “Embedding Patient and Public Partnership in a cancer centre requires dedicated leadership, strong organisational commitment, and sustained investment of time. The collaboration between Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute and the Irish Cancer Society has been instrumental in enabling this approach.
"During the OECI designation of TSJCI as Ireland’s first Comprehensive Cancer Centre, particular recognition was given to the centre’s strong focus on the patient voice and experience.
“I am delighted that we had the opportunity to attend ASCO and showcase the progress made at Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute with the Irish Cancer Society in embedding patient partnership across both cancer care and research. We are committed to fostering a culture where patients are active partners - not only in their own care, but also in shaping the research that will define future cancer services."
Linda Chanders, patient partner, from Kildare, said: “It is incredibly meaningful to partner with the Irish Cancer Society and Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute so that researchers can learn from experience with cancer diagnosis and treatment to inform and improve cancer research. It is hugely exciting to have had the opportunity to attend ASCO and to share what we’ve achieved in Ireland, to help patients globally.”
ASCO took place in Chicago over May 29th – June 2nd and is attended by up to 45,000 people, including oncology professionals, researchers and patient advocates from around the globe.
The Irish Cancer Society is privileged to work with a panel of over 40 patient partners. These partners work with international scientific peer reviewers to decide what research should be funded, as well as work with Ireland’s national research community to help direct the research that is carried out across the country.
The Irish Cancer Society is the largest voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland and one of the leading organisations driving Public Patient Partnership in Ireland, having funded the first ‘Public and Patient Partnership Lead’ in Ireland, Grainne Smith at Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute.
The Irish Cancer Society also represents Ireland as a member of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) working group on patient partnership.
ENDS
