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The 46th ASCO Annual Meeting will be held June 4-8, 2010 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

The 2010 ASCO Annual Meeting will be a forum for cutting edge scientific and educational developments in oncology, with a focus on advancing quality through innovation. The ASCO Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the latest advances in research, quality, practice, and technology in cancer.

Following is a brief overview of each of the opportunities available to patient advocates. We encourage you to share this information with any colleagues who may be involved with planning your organization’s participation in the ASCO Annual Meeting.

ASCO-Sponsored Patient Advocacy Booth

The ASCO-Sponsored Patient Advocacy Booth is designed to give not-for-profit patient advocacy organizations an opportunity to promote their resources and services to the professional oncology community. This booth, which holds 20 patient advocacy organizations, provides a venue where participants can display materials and where physicians and patient advocates can meet, interact, and exchange information. See detailed information and application instructions.

Individual Patient Advocacy Booths

Individual exhibit booths, also near the front of the Exhibit Hall, are available to patient advocacy organizations at a greatly reduced rate and granted on a first come-first served basis, based on eligibility criteria. To inquire about an individual booth, please contact patientadvocates@asco.org.

Reduced Registration Rate for Patient Advocates (for non-exhibitors)

If you represent a patient advocacy organization, you may be eligible for the discounted patient advocate registration rate of $255 per person on or before April 28, 2010, and $330 per person beginning April 29, 2010. Up to two representatives per organization may register at this discounted rate. The discounted registration rate for patient advocates is reserved exclusively for advocates who work or volunteer for not-for-profit patient advocacy organizations that provide programs, services, and support for people with cancer. People that register under this category may be asked to provide a curriculum vitae or resume, outlining their advocacy roles and experience. Please download a patient advocate registration form if you are a patient advocate and meet the registration criteria.

Reduced registration is reserved exclusively for patient advocates and is not intended for medical professionals. Individuals registered under this category are not eligible to receive continuing education credit for their attendance at the Meeting. Individuals interested in receiving continuing education credit should register at the appropriate attendee rate. Registration rates can be found on the ASCO Annual Meeting website.

Research Review Sessions for Patient Advocates

Patient advocates are invited to attend Research Review Sessions in the Patient Advocate Lounge, Room S402, Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th from 5:15 to 6:30 PM. During these sessions, expert faculty will review and highlight disease-specific topics and oncology-related subjects as presented at the Meeting, followed by a question and answer period. You must have a patient advocate ribbon attached to your badge in order to attend these sessions (ribbons are available on-site in the Patient Advocate Lounge).

President’s Recognition Reception

Patient advocates will be invited to the ASCO President’s Recognition Reception, (location to be announced in March 2010. RSVP is required, limit two representatives per organization, please). During the reception, the President will honor ASCO leaders, members, volunteers, and patient advocates for the important work they do to help support and advocate on behalf of the cancer community.

Patient Advocate Lounge

The Patient Advocate Lounge serves as a home base where advocates can gather in a relaxed environment to take a break, enjoy light refreshments, utilize the computer terminals, network with others, and peruse ASCO patient information materials. Advocates can obtain patient advocate ribbons and exhibitors can pick up complimentary session passes in the Lounge. The Patient Advocate Lounge is Room S402 in McCormick Place.

The ASCO Cancer Foundation Patient Advocate Scholarship Program

Scholarships help cover travel, hotel, and registration expenses and are based primarily on financial need. Scholarship funds are limited and are granted on a first come, first served basis. Learn more about patient advocate scholarships for the 2010 ASCO Annual Meeting in Cancer.Net’s section on The ASCO Cancer Foundation Patient Advocate Scholarship Program.

More Information

The program agenda for the 2010 ASCO Annual Meeting can be found on the Meeting website as a resource for planning your meeting attendance.

Visit Cancer.Net’s ASCO Annual Meetings section to review a searchable news archive from this annual educational meeting.

Questions about patient advocacy programs at ASCO can be directed to patientadvocates@asco.org or 571-483-1369.

Last Updated: January 19, 2010