2 years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of cancer patients across Canada still report their cancer care appointments are cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled.
Throughout the pandemic, CCSN has been meeting virtually with elected officials from across the country – provincial and federal – to discuss our COVID-19 and Cancer Care Disruption Survey. Our survey confirmed that measures in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to negatively impact cancer patients and pre-diagnosis patients’ ability to access cancer care services. In our meetings, we explored some of the key findings of our survey, shared stories from cancer patients, and discussed the need to ensure that access to cancer care remain a priority during and beyond this wave of COVID-19 and any subsequent pandemics.
In this last webinar, of our 3 part series, our focus turned from survey results and sharing highlights from meetings with elected officials to telling the stories of the advocates. It’s important to know the facts and figures; it’s equally, if not more, important to hear the stories of those who have actively fought back, and been the primary advocate for themselves. We had 4 advocates join us to tell their stories: Dianne Colton, Shannon Gall, Angus Pratt & Jennifer Roy. Afterwards, David Klug, facilitated a Q&A session with our panel of advocates.
To view the replay and share it click here.