Press Release
Feb 01, 2021
Chris Martin CMartin@DavidJamesGroup.com | 630-670-2745
DENVER- The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) has selected Wilmette, Ill.-resident Erika Hlavacek as a participant for the Supportive Training for Advocates on Research and Science (STARS) Program as a Patient Research Advocate (PRA).
The STARS program aims to help patient advocates evolve into patient research advocates — a distinction explained by a PRA’s ability to bring the patient voice to research-related efforts. PRAs work with clinicians and scientists to provide the patient perspective for lung cancer research and policy.
Hlavacek, a former airline pilot with no risk factors, was diagnosed in September 2017 with stage IV non-small lung cancer, at the age of 42. She initially had stereotactic body radiation therapy radiation to her spine, but later found out she had an ALK gene rearrangement that was driving her cancer. She switched over to targeted therapy and is currently on her second line of treatment.
As part of her lung cancer journey, she started a nonprofit called yEAHbestlife that raises funds and awareness for lung cancer research. She was also part of Team IL for GO2 Foundation’s Capitol Hill Day and is a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense’s CDMRP peer-review panel. She is also a board member for ALK Positive, a patient-driven advocacy and support group.
STARS Mentors and PRAs will receive complimentary registration to attend the IASLC 2020 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), to be held virtually January 28-31 2021. The WCLC is the largest international conference specific to lung cancer. To prepare for WCLC, Mentors and PRAs will participate in communication learning labs through Research Advocacy Network, education sessions and meetings with key opinion leaders in the lung cancer community.
About the IASLC:
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Founded in 1974, the association's membership includes nearly 7,500 lung cancer specialists across all disciplines in over 100 countries, forming a global network working together to conquer lung and thoracic cancers worldwide. The association also publishes the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of all thoracic malignancies. Visit www.iaslc.org for more information.
About the WCLC:
The WCLC is the world’s largest meeting dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, attracting more than 7,000 researchers, physicians and specialists from more than 100 countries. The goal is to increase awareness, collaboration and understanding of lung cancer, and to help participants implement the latest developments across the globe. The conference will cover a wide range of disciplines and unveil several research studies and clinical trial results. For more information, visit wclc2020.iaslc.org.