Barry D. Stein, graduated from McGill University and has been a member of the Bar of Quebec since 1981.

Barry sits on the Board of Directors of several corporations, not-for-profit organizations and foundations including Colorectal Cancer Canada, Exactis Innovation, the Canadian Personalized Healthcare Innovation Network (CPHIN), Le Consortium de recherche en oncologie clinique du Québec (observer) (QCROC) and FT3- From Testing to Targeted Treatments.  He is also on the governing council of CANTRAIN the Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training platform and on the Board of Directors of DNA to RNA An inclusive Canadian Approach to Genomic-based RNA Therapeutics (D2R) based at McGill University Research Institute.

As a strong advocate of cancer research in Canada he is a member of the Canadian Health Research Forum (CHRF). He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Donald Berman Foundation and Tikva Children’s Foundation.

Barry is the past president of the Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec and past chair, of the IQVIA Advisory Council for the Advancement of Health in Quebec where he continues to be a member.

He is a founding member of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer National Colorectal Cancer Screening Network (NCCSN). He is also a patient advisor of the CRUK Grand Challenge “OPTIMISTICC”, colorectal cancer and microbiome research project.

Barry sits on many advisory boards and panels such as the Patient Preferences group of Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi, PCIG) and personalized healthcare panels informing industry and patient groups as well as governmental agencies.

As the president and CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC) he actively represents the interests of cancer patients and speaks regularly to medical professionals, industry, government, and patient groups across Canada and Internationally about colorectal cancer, pan cancer issues and health policy. He regularly participates in many researchers initiated CIHR funded research projects to ensure patient centricity in cancer trials and translational research. He is the recipient of several awards including the 2021 CCRA Award Recipient for Exceptional Leadership in Patient Involvement in Cancer Research.

Barry has been a key advocate for population based colorectal cancer screening initiatives, and timely access to testing and precision medicines in an equitable and timely manner.

As a survivor of metastatic colorectal cancer diagnosed in 1995, Barry was obliged to seek health care outside of Canada to fight his disease. His judgement, obtained in the Superior Court of Quebec in 1999, still serves as a leading precedent in Canada for the reimbursement of out of country health care.

Jill is 60-year-old woman who loves being outdoors for birdwatching, gardening and observing the natural world. She is involved in gardening with both native plants and herbs that are favourites of pollinators. She volunteers for FLAP Canada, a non-profit that educates, rescues and recovers migratory birds that collide with glass everywhere in our built environment.
She was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in November of 2022 in an emergency room. She has survived 2 surgeries and 5 rounds of chemo. The good news is that she has recently had a clean colonoscopy and no more signs of cancer today! Jill is a big believer in staying positive, helping others in need, advocating for yourself and building a strong body and mind!

Manna is a stage 4 colon cancer survivor from a small town on Vancouver Island, BC. She was diagnosed at 42 years old in October 2019, on the cusp of the pandemic. Despite experiencing years of recurrent symptoms of colon cancer, having a positive FIT and a family history, her diagnosis was severely delayed due to aged-based screening protocols and gender bias, which ultimately resulted in advanced-stage disease. After having surgery in 2019 and adjuvant chemo in 2020, Manna’s most recent semi-annual scan in March 2022 showed she is currently cancer free. She hopes her story of delayed diagnosis can help others self-advocate should they find themselves in a similar position in the future.

For three decades, Jocelyn Laidlaw has been a trusted voice in the Canadian news landscape. First a reporter, producer and anchor in B.C., in 2003, Jocelyn moved to Calgary to anchor the CTV News at Noon and 5. She remained on the anchor desk for 21 years, guiding Southern Albertans through some of the biggest stories in the region’s history, including elections, the Covid 19 pandemic, the Juno Awards, the 2013 floods and countless local events.

Over the years she has covered high profile criminal cases and trials, including the case of serial killer Robert Pickton, as well as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Canadian Tour, and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She has interviewed celebrities, politicians, community leaders and many regular Canadians who have shared their stories and perspectives. 

In September 2022, Jocelyn was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. She underwent 6 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy and continues to recover. She has become an advocate for colorectal cancer awareness, sharing her journey publically through social media and interviews across the country. Today, she uses her experience to encourage Canadians to be strong self-advocates for their own health.

Jocelyn and her husband share a teenage son, who keeps them busy. They love skiing, traveling, kayaking, yoga and reading.

Dr. Genevieve Chaput has an exclusive practice in supportive and palliative medicine. She is an attending physician at both Glen and Lachine sites of the McGill University Health Centre. She currently serves as Head of the supportive and palliative care department of the Lachine Hospital. Dr Chaput has an active research profile primarily focused on cancer survivorship. She acts as Chair of the Canadian Association of General Practitioners in Oncology as well as Chair of the Cancer Care Members Interest Group (MIG) of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She is known for her compassionate care approach and strong patient and caregiver advocacy.

Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and a Senior Scientist at CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute. His research in palliative care has resulted in more than 300 career publications broaching diverse topics such as depression, quality-of-life, suicide, vulnerability, spirituality, and existential distress. He has also led a large program of research on dignity within the healthcare setting, which includes the development and study of Dignity Therapy. He is the co-founder of the Canadian Virtual Hospice, co-editor of The Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine (Oxford University Press). His latest book is entitled Dignity in Care: The Human Side of Medicine, published by Oxford University Press. He is an Officer in the Order of Canada, and an inductee into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

Dr. Robin McGee is a registered clinical psychologist who has worked in health and education for over 30 years. Her award-winning book The Cancer Olympics describes her fight for medical justice and fair chemotherapy policy after serious medical negligence. For her advocacy work in cancer care and patient safety, she was decorated with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Governor-General of Canada. Also, she has been awarded the Canadian Cancer Society’s highest honour, the National Medal of Courage. Proceeds of her book go to cancer support programs. She can be found on Facebook and on X (@TCOrobin). Robin is currently in treatment for a recurrence of her colorectal cancer. Her blog (www.thecancerolympics.com) illustrates her cancer experience using famous rock songs.

Dr. Robin Urquhart is an Associate Professor and Canadian Cancer Society Endowed Chair in Population Cancer Research in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, with cross-appointments in the Department of Surgery and Division of Medical Education, at Dalhousie University. She is a Senior Scientist with the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute and an Affiliate Scientist at Nova Scotia Health. Dr. Urquhart is a health services researcher and implementation scientist. Her research spans the entire cancer continuum, from primary prevention to survivorship and end-of-life care, and examines issues related to access, quality, equity, and effectiveness in cancer care and how to improve patient, family, and health system outcomes.

Stuart Peacock is Professor and Leslie Diamond Chair in Cancer Survivorship in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. He is Co-Director of the Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC), a Distinguished Scientist in the Department of Cancer Control Research at BC Cancer, and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Stuart has 30 years of experience in health economics, quality of life research, public engagement, and priority setting. His interests include making health systems fairer and more transparent, and improving the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors.

Lisa Levy is 53 from Montreal and is a payroll and benefits professional for Canadian and American companies. She was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in March 2022 and interventions include a left hemicolectomy followed by chemotherapy and targeted EGFR inhibitor therapy for almost two years with partial response. She is passionate about animals of all kinds and enjoys combining learning with travel by doing citizen science projects like Blue Whale research in Quebec, swimming with Orca in Norway and Humpback whales in Tonga. Lisa spends her time laughing at the antics of her two small parrots and undoing the results of their chaos and destruction while undergoing her treatments.

Meet Rada – a proud Torontonian with 30 years of experience working at Bell Canada. Married with two amazing daughters, her heart belongs to both her family and the world of people and food. Always eager to learn more about both!

Becky was born and raised in Saskatchewan. Her background includes public relations, corporate external affairs, community engagement, event planning and fund development.  Becky is currently the “External Relations and Growth Lead” for a social purpose organization called “Women Building Futures”, that helps women who are un and underemployed gain training and employment in trades that are traditionally underrepresented by women.

Becky and her husband have three children and are kept busy year-round with their activities. Becky's winters are often filled with the exciting role of being a "hockey mom with a cowbell" at the rink, supporting her children's love for the sport. Becky thrives off of being a supportive parent and a strong community member.

Beyond her family and career, Becky is a dedicated volunteer, deeply involved in several community initiatives. She is the Chair of the Southeast Saskatchewan Women of Distinction Awards, a member of the Estevan Minor Hockey board, and a leader for an Estevan Ukrainian refugee committee.  Becky's commitment to the community extends to her past involvement on various boards, including the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Volleyball Association, the Rotary Club of Estevan, and the City of Estevan Leisure Services Advisory Committee.

In 2021, Becky was diagnosed with Colon Cancer just 4 months after a traumatic emergency c-section with her third child. Before becoming pregnant, Becky had a polyp that could not be removed in her rural hospital due to the possibility of the removal being too complicated, so she was deferred to a hospital in a larger center. By the time they got her in, covid had hit, and she was pregnant. She was advised to wait until she had her baby to have the polyp removed. While she was pregnant, the polyp turned into cancer. Dealing with post-partum hormones, a newborn baby that would not take a bottle, and all the trauma that comes with healing from a c-section, Becky was diagnosed with Colon Cancer.  She began her journey of dealing with the hand that life had dealt her and now works hard to advocate for the early detection of Colon Cancer.

In her own words, Becky believes in "living my core values to the best of my ability,” making her a remarkable advocate for change in her community and beyond.

Shane is a stage 3 rectal cancer survivor who was diagnosed in early 2022. After undergoing treatment and 2 surgeries, he has recently celebrated his 1 year anniversary of being cancer free. Shane works in the field of automation and lives in the tiny village of Long Sault, Ontario with his wife and two cats. In his free time he enjoys hiking, cycling, woodworking and gardening