Cancer research advocates  (RAs)are volunteers with a personal connection to cancer who are passionate about helping research translate into meaningful outcomes for patients and their families. Research advocacy provides perspective from the cancer patient community to help research focus on the questions most important to patients and design studies and trials that have a better chance of addressing these questions.  
Oncology research organizations, academic research centers, and industry find value in research advocacy.  However, the group of active cancer research advocates is still small. The majority of those in the cancer community are unaware of their existence, contributions, and capabilities.
This chat explores cancer research advocacy and what it can contribute to research. Chat participants included patients, caregivers, researchers, professional societies, and nonprofits from several cancer communities (such as #LCSM, #BTSM, #BCSM, #MMSM, #AYSM, #GYNCSM -- Google "Symplur cancer tag ontology" to learn more about these communities).

The Hows and Whys of Cancer Research Advocacy