MBCRC Advocate Researcher Program (MARP)
Photo by Lynn Huelsmann, Living with MBC
The goal of MARP is to introduce researchers and advocates to begin building relationships that improve cancer research.
To accomplish this goal, we created a program that provides a forum for advocates and researchers to be paired at MBCRC to get to know one another then spend the conference learning the science together in sessions, over meals, and during the poster session. The long-term goal is to establish relationships that last, allowing the advocates and researchers to work together to improve cancer research focused on metastatic disease.
The responses for the inaugural program were overwhelming - we ended up creating 21 pairs at MBCRC in Utah in August 2023!
One of the program requirements is to create a blog post about their experiences. Here, we present the blogs!
Kirstin and Angelica
MetARP 2024 brought together patient advocate Kirstin J. Spencer and cancer researcher Dr. Angélica Santiago-Gómez in a powerful exchange of lived experience and scientific insight. Their partnership embodies the mission of MetARP—to forge lasting relationships that advance metastatic cancer research and amplify the patient voice.