Blood Cancer Open Day for Patients and Families
On the Saturday 28 October 2023, the Centre for Blood Research (CBR) at the University of York had the pleasure of welcoming around 200 patients and their families and friends, as well as NHS staff, to an Open Day to share findings and hear about patient experiences.
Organized by the Epidemiology & Cancer Statistics Group (ECSG), which is part of the Centre for Blood Research (CBR), the event included a series of talks from haematologists, patients and researchers/scientists, as well as interactive areas and places for patients to chat with blood cancer support groups and charities. Those attending were able to learn more about the CBR’s research - which they are part of and contribute to - including the data ECSG collects, and how they use it.
A patient shared his personal blood cancer journey and some of the drawbacks of treatment, which many audience members could relate to. Additional talks were given on clinical trials and childhood cancer. You can see and read the presentations from the day here, and you can view the photographs here.
Feedback was overwhelmingly ‘excellent’, with everyone saying they enjoyed the day, and especially the chance to learn more about blood cancer and chat to people with similar experiences, as indicated from the quotes below:
“Great venue, brilliant speakers and lots of staff on hand to help.”
“An amazing, informative day. A great balance of research and patient views/stories.”
“I came to support my friend. I left speechless. Amazing knowledge, dedication and to think this is in York. So proud of you!”
“I am so please that we have all these people who are doing what they do. Huge thanks for the chance to attend. Excellent!”
Professor Debra Howell, who leads on Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) for ECSG said ‘it was fantastic to be able to meet with the people who are most impacted by our research. PPI is such a crucial aspect of our work; it helps us to learn about the issues that are really important to the people affected by blood cancer, and reminds us about the impact our work can have on the lives of others’.
Notes to editors:
The CBR & ECSG research teams are grateful to the University of York and Blood Cancer UK, who contributed towards this event, thereby enabling them to strengthen their involvement with people affected by blood cancer.