Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador St. John’s campus. Photo by Telegram staff /The TelegramArticle contentThis is a copy of an email sent to: Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; Paul Dinn, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development; Dr. Lisa Moores, President of Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association; Justin Ladha, Chair of Board of Regents, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancelor, Memorial University of Newfoundland.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentGood day,Article contentArticle contentToday, I am writing to tell you about a national award and what it means to us.Article contentThis award is given by the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA) for my “Exceptional Leadership in Patient Involvement in Cancer Research.” You can find more information about this award here: https://www.ccra-acrc.ca/ccra-awards/.Article contentThis award is a recognition of the work done together with around 30 community members, who were diagnosed with cancer, and their family members.Article contentThis makes me extra proud and happy. I also believe this is the first time anyone in Atlantic Canada has ever been recognized by a Canadian Cancer Research Alliance award.Article contentI know you will join me in celebrating this extraordinary honour and the community members’ vital roles in it.Article contentArticle content Sevtap Savas, professor of oncology and genetics at Memorial in St. John’s. Photo by Telegram staff /TelegramArticle contentI started patient involvement and engagement six years ago with $2,500 funding from the Office of Public Engagement at MUN.Article contentArticle contentI have not stopped after that.Article contentI initiated and have been leading the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, a wonderful and highly successful public-scientist partnership on cancer in NL.Article contentThis group’s success later allowed me to create a pan-Atlantic Canada patient advisory group as part of the Atlantic Cancer Consortium.Article contentBoth of these groups are recognized in the award announcement.Article contentWho would have thought that such a small academic funding would bring us to today? Even I did not foresee that at that time.Article contentBut, it did bring us to today.Article content——Article contentThis is just one example of how impactful and important the Office of Public Engagement at MUN was. It created unique opportunities for faculty, staff, students and community members to make long-lasting impact.Article contentSadly, it was also one of the first units to be cut due to the current financial challenges of the institution.Article contentThere is one Memorial University, one Newfoundland and Labrador.Article contentNobody wins by cuts to our academic mission and our work with the community. Yet, cuts are what we keep hearing of coming.Article contentI ask all of you to re-think about how to shape the future of Memorial University, and hence, our province and our community.Article contentSevtap Savas, PhD. Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’sArticle content
LETTER: Work involving patients in cancer research recognized by national award
