Cutting edge cancer science merged seamlessly with consumer perspectives and patient stories to produce a unique, wholistic event for the VCCC’s second major research conference. The event was held at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 September. The conference attracted over 420 delegates to the two-day event and a further 190 people registered to attend the free public forum on the closing evening. Sixty-one speakers were featured on the program including many contributors with a lived experience of cancer who chaired or spoke at sessions throughout the event.
The Hon Anthony Carbines MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health opened the conference speaking about the research strengths of VCCC member organisations and endorsing the role of the alliance; bringing together cancer researchers, clinicians, nurses, allied health professionals, educators and consumer advocates for a truly multidisciplinary meeting to highlight the latest and most promising cancer science from around the world.
The involvement of Olivia Newton-John in the opening plenary resulted in attendance from most major Melbourne news services who reported the conference in evening news and current affairs programs. #VCCCcon19 trended at four nationally throughout the morning.
International speakers were Thomas Merchant, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, Douglas Hanahan, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Helen Heslop, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, Steve Baylin, John Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland and Bertalan Mesko, Director of the Medical Futurist Institute, France.
They were accompanied by an impressive array of Australian speakers from right across the Australian cancer sector, strengthening knowledge and networks and engaging in healthy debate.
Delegates were generous in their praise for the meeting with feedback focusing on individual sessions and relevance to attendees.
"The breakout session on coordinated care was excellent and incorporated cancer and palliative care providers, policy makers, consumers, family and NGOs. The generosity of the speakers and audience provided lots of knowledge and experiences to take away and incorporate in clinical care delivery and future projects."
Feedback from some researchers expressed gratitude at being provided the opportunity to place their work into a broader context.
"This was a fantastic conference. I was engaged, excited and inspired. As a researcher, it was great to hear the perspectives of the patients and to learn about the importance of political and economic factors of translatable findings."
And a large percentage of participants offered congratulations on the organisation and program content.
"I've been to a few conferences and this has by far been my favourite one. it provided an excellent opportunity for students, professionals, and consumers to network effectively."
"I thought the overall organisation of the event was highly satisfying. The sessions were prompt and always on time. The speakers were of high calibre and every session was educational and interesting. The venue was a great space for all and the dinner was a blast."
"Seeing Douglas Hanahan speak was truly inspirational. I enjoyed hearing about the amazing work Professor Tom Merchant is undertaking at St Judes, and the capabilities of thermogenics by Professor Michael Hofman. I would also like to highlight the amazing speech given by Nicholas Lee, he spoke eloquently and it was a great way to re-orientate the research onto a consumer based model."
Overwhelmingly, Olivia Newton-John's stories shared with Profs Grant McArthur and Jonathon Cebon along with her positivity and vision for the future resonated with all, and were applauded as a conference highlight.
The dinner was rated as outstanding and featured a performance donated by Stage School Australia singing This is Me from The Greatest Showman. The event was hosted by comedian and television personality Brian Nankervis to the delight of many.
Platinum
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Gold
Illumina
Silver
Astra Zeneca, Celgene, MSD, ThermoFisher Scientific, University of Melbourne, Victorian Cancer Agency, Victoria State Government
Bronze
Servier, Roche, Novartis
Swipe below to view conference photos.
