Henry Ford was once quoted as stating,
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
As the Canadian Cancer Action Network continues to advance our agenda in areas of most concern and relevance to the cancer patient community, we remain focused on ensuring our collective efforts provide support to the key priorities of the pan-Canadian cancer control strategy.
This past year has truly been one of learning, sharing and caring for CCAN Members Council. With 18 national cancer-site organizations and 6 population organizations, each representing the interests of their respective patient constituents, CCAN continues to successfully bring together an enormous segment of the Canadian cancer patient community in order to lend an informed patient perspective to work underway across the cancer continuum. We are, by means of an incredibly strong network of member organizations united with one voice, a key stakeholder in the cancer control community.
As the CEO of CCAN and the daughter of a cancer patient, I am a firm believer that everyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis – patient, caregiver, friend or family member – has a unique story. In many respects, CCAN has evolved into a highly effective vehicle to share those stories or perhaps more to the point, to articulate the core patient issues that are both impacting and changing the lives of Canadians each and every day.
Within CCAN Members Council, there are a number of key patient Issues that are widely shared by our member organizations. While CCAN celebrates our achievements this past year, we are keenly aware that there is still much work to be done in order to meet the needs and expectations of Canadians dealing with a cancer diagnosis within their home.
In collaboration with our valued partners, members and stakeholders, CCAN will continue to advance patient interests into our new 2012-2017 mandate. Engaging in dialogue and exploring outreach opportunities with diverse stakeholders will make us stronger.
Grounded in the belief that a strong, coordinated patient voice is essential to change, our work this past year is a true testimonial to the role of the patient community in reshaping the Canadian cancer landscape.
Marjorie Morrison
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Cancer Action Network
