Join Christopher Mammoliti, a young cancer survivor and National Patient Programs Manager at CCRAN (Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network), and Cassandra Macaulay, Chief Research Officer of the organization, for a grounded and personal conversation on the patient journey and the power of patient-centred support. The talk begins with Chris’s lived experience of navigating diagnosis, treatment decisions, and an often overwhelming healthcare system, highlighting the emotional, informational, and practical challenges patients and caregivers face beyond clinical care. Drawing from real-world experience, it explores how gaps in clear, timely, and understandable support can impact patients at different stages of cancer care—and why equitable access to trusted education and guidance is so critical.
The discussion then transitions into how these experiences led to him working with CCRAN, a national patient advocacy organization dedicated to improving outcomes and quality of life for people affected by colorectal cancer, as well as advocacy efforts across multiple tumour types with a recently expanded mandate. The session will spotlight CCRAN’s patient-focused education and support initiatives, including tools that enable shared decision-making and peer-to-peer programs that reduce isolation and empower patients and caregivers. Together, the talk connects lived experience with real-world patient education and support, showcasing how patient voices shape programs that help people better understand their diagnosis, navigate decisions, and feel less alone throughout their care.