Please join us for the 45th ASCO Annual Meeting!
May 29–June 2, 2009
Orlando County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida

More than 30,000 cancer specialists from around the world are expected to gather at the meeting to discuss the latest advances in cancer treatment, prevention, and survivorship. Please visit this page again for updates.

Following is a brief overview of each of the opportunities available to patient advocates. We encourage you to share this information with your staff and any third parties who may be involved with planning your organization’s participation in the 2009 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. 

• At least one person must staff your booth at all times during exhibit hours.
  
  
• The booth will be at the main entrance to the exhibit hall, with space for up to 20 organizations.
  
  
• While we will attempt to accommodate all requests to participate, space is limited and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, based on eligibility criteria.
  
  
• Organizations in the ASCO-Sponsored Patient Advocacy Booth will be given two complimentary passes to attend the non-ticketed meeting sessions. One additional representative is welcome to purchase a pass to the sessions at the discounted advocate registration rate of $250.
  
  
• Each organization that participates in the ASCO-Sponsored Patient Advocacy Booth will be given a maximum of five exhibitor badges (no exceptions).

Individual Patient Advocacy Booths

Individual exhibit booths 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 Jeannine Salamone at 571-483-1358 or patientadvocates@asco.org. Important points include:

• At least one person must staff your booth at all times during exhibit hours.
  
  
• The fee for a 10’ x 10’ patient advocacy booth is $250 (normally $3,200) and includes an 8’ back drape, a booth identification sign including the organization’s name and booth number, and a listing of your organization and booth number in select Annual Meeting publications as well as on the Virtual Exhibit Hall on www.asco.org.
  
  
• Individual Patient Advocacy Booths will be near the front entrances to the exhibit hall.
  
  
• We are pleased to offer organizations two complimentary passes to attend the non-ticketed meeting sessions. One additional representative is welcome to purchase a pass to the sessions at the discounted advocate registration rate of $250.
  
  
• Each organization that purchases an individual booth will be given a maximum of five exhibitor badges.
  
  
• Optional booth furnishings including carpeting, tables, chairs, computers, electricity, docking fees, etc., are not included in the $250 fee and will need to be purchased separately.

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 $250. Up to two representatives per organization may register at this discounted rate. Please email patientadvocates@asco.org for further information and criteria.

Research Review Sessions for Patient Advocates

Patient advocates are invited to attend Research Review Sessions in the Patient Advocate Lounge, Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31, 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 may be picked up at any time in the Patient Advocate Lounge).

President’s Recognition Reception

Patient advocates will be invited to the ASCO President’s Recognition Reception on Sunday evening, May 31, (location TBD) (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 coffee 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 ASCO Cancer Foundation Patient Advocate Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available for patient advocates who would like to attend the 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting. The 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 in Cancer.Net’s section on The ASCO Cancer Foundation Patient Advocate Scholarship Program.

More Information

Patient advocate registration for the 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting available January 2009.

Information about the agenda for the 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting can be found at www.asco.org/annualmeeting 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.

Other questions about patient advocacy programs at ASCO can be directed to Jeannine Salamone at 571-483-1358 or patientadvocates@asco.org.