NBCC’s (National Breast Cancer Coalition) annual Project LEAD Institute is a renowned scientific training program for breast cancer advocates. The training took place in San Diego, California from July 27th to August 2nd, 2024, and is designed to prepare advocates to incorporate the patient perspective into breast cancer decision making forums. Project LEAD consists of a six-day training course led by distinguished researchers, aimed at teaching advocates key information about breast cancer biology, genetics, and research.
LBCA supports patient advocates’ – new and seasoned – attendance at this conference by providing a travel scholarship program that includes a competitive application process. Successful applicants receive a significant portion of their travel costs reimbursed and in exchange agree to write about their experience at the conference to help inform others who have never attended.
In their post-conference reflections, 2024 Project LEAD travel scholars highlight how attending the training transformed their abilities to advocate for and understand lobular breast cancer research.
Ciara describes Project LEAD as “the most amazing experience…in [her] patient advocacy journey so far.” She highlights the value of the mentorship opportunities provided by the program, and notes that she feels much more confident understanding research articles as a result of the training.
Jade expresses her gratitude for the study groups, which helped her decipher the information-dense course materials with ease. She also describes how inspiring it was to attend Project LEAD as a patient advocate with no formal research training.
Brenda came into the training anxious about grasping the scientific material, but she describes the Project LEAD faculty as exceptionally supportive throughout the experience. She also explains how the program helped her feel more confident working with scientists to raise awareness of lobular breast cancer.
You can read the full accounts by three of LBCA’ scholars who attended Project LEAD 2024 below.