Patient Advocate Programs at the ASCO Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is considered the premier educational and scientific event in the oncology community. The 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting will take place at McCormick Place in Chicago, May 31-June 4. 

The Conquer Cancer Patient Advocate Scholarship Program

The Conquer Cancer Patient Advocate Scholarship Program will provide a limited number of scholarships for patient advocates to attend the ASCO Annual Meeting to learn of important advances in their areas of interest. Scholarships help cover travel, hotel, and registration expenses and are based primarily on financial need, advocacy experience, and current advocacy activities and involvement. Learn more.

The application period is now open and will close promptly at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on Monday, March 18. 

Apply Now

ASCO-Sponsored Patient Advocacy Booth

The ASCO-Sponsored Patient Advocacy Booth at the ASCO Annual Meeting provides complimentary exhibit space where not-for-profit patient advocacy organizations may promote their programs, services, and resources to the professional oncology community. The booth provides a venue where advocate exhibitors can display materials and where meeting attendees and patient advocates can meet, interact, and exchange information. 

The application period for the ASCO-Sponsored Patient Advocacy Booth at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting has now closed.  The application for the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting will open in February 2025. 


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

Patient advocates may register to attend in person at a reduced rate. Registration is free for patient advocates who choose to participate online only. Patient Advocate members of ASCO may register on the meeting website and do not need approval.

Those interested in registering, and not currently patient advocate members of ASCO, will need to submit a CV, bio-sketch, or resume to patientadvocates@asco.org. Each individual must be approved by ASCO staff in order to register under this reduced rate category.  Those who are approved will receive a registration code and instructions. This registration category is reserved exclusively for patient advocates and is not intended for medical professionals. More information, including eligibility criteria and instructions are available on the Patient Advocate section of the ASCO Annual Meeting website, under 'Special Rate Categories.'

Patient Advocate Lounge 

The Patient Advocate Lounge is reserved for attendees who are registered as patient advocates or patient advocate exhibitors. It is a designated space where advocates can gather to take a break, network with others, peruse patient education materials, and attend special events.

  • Advocacy organizations are welcome to display materials in the Lounge (100 pieces or less per organization)

  • Continental breakfast and lunch are available

  • A patient advocate ribbon must be attached to attendee badge for access to the Lounge. Meeting attendees who are not registered as patient advocates or patient advocate exhibitors must be accompanied by an advocate upon entering and exiting

  • Patient advocate exhibitors may pick up complimentary session access passes that provide access to the non-ticketed sessions (2 passes per organization)

  • Patient Advocate and Cancer Survivor ribbons may be picked up in the Lounge

ASCO's President Reception

Patient advocates who registered by the early registration deadline for the ASCO Annual Meeting are invited to the ASCO President’s Reception. Please note, there is a limit of 2 people per organization for exhibiting patient advocacy organizations. Invitations will be sent in early May. Advance RSVP is required and changes cannot be made onsite.

Highlights From the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting 

The theme of the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting was Partnering With Patients: The Cornerstone of Cancer Care and Research. From June 2-6 in Chicago, Illinois, and online, cancer researchers and clinicians from around the world gathered to discuss the latest research and how to ensure that all people receive the cancer care they need. Read highlights from the meeting for people with cancer on Cancer.Net.


Looking for More Information?

  • Visit ASCO's Meeting Library for access to abstracts, videos, slides, and posters presented at past ASCO Annual Meetings. 

  • Visit the ASCO Annual Meetings section on this site to review a searchable news archive from past Meetings.

  • Sign up now for Inside Cancer.Net, a free monthly e-newsletter for people in the cancer community, patients, families, and friends.

Questions about ASCO’s patient advocacy programs can be directed to patientadvocates@asco.org.