Life Science Items of Interest: Special Opportunities for Patient Representatives

Special Opportunities for Patient Representatives

Dear Colleague,
Do you represent a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States or registered charities in Canada that serve constituents with major chronic diseases and/or rare/orphan diseases?
Then you can’t afford to miss your opportunity to apply for a scholarship to attend the DIA 2013 49th Annual Meeting as part of the Patient Advocate Fellowship Program.
Through the Patient Advocate Fellowship Program, DIA is working to ensure that the "voice of the patient" is heard globally in every facet of the life cycle management of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and related health care products.
Twenty patient representatives, chosen through a competitive process, will have opportunities to develop, strengthen, and support collaborations with policymakers, industry, academia, and health professionals by taking part in all facets of DIA 2013 49th Annual Meeting in Boston.

Deadline for Applications: Friday, February 1

What is the Patient Advocate Fellowship Program?
The DIA Patient Advocate Fellowship Program is designed to:
• Develop, strengthen, and support patient collaborations with policy makers,
health professionals, industry representatives, and academia
• Increase the knowledge and understanding of patient groups about key issues
central to patient-centered health care, biomedical research, and drug development
• Develop the capacity of patient groups to advocate for change
• Improve alliances between patient groups and other health care stakeholders
• Stimulate cooperation, promote dialogue, and share best practices Hear more about DIA's Patient Advocate Fellowship Pogram:

DIA 2012 48th Annual Meeting Participating Organizations:
• ARPKD/CHF Alliance • Averys Angels Gastroschisis Foundation • Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders • Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation • HepTREC • Huntington's Disease Society of America • International Cancer Advocacy Network • International WAGR Syndrome Association • Lupus Foundation of America • Mass General Cancer Center	• Mastocytosis Society • MRSA Survivors Network • National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery • National Dysautonomia Research Foundation • Nueva Vida (Latin Women with Cancer) • Ovarian Cancer National Alliance • Soft Bones • Sturge-Weber Foundation • United Nations Bone and Joint Decade • Vestibular Disorders Association

What is the DIA 2013 49th Annual Meeting?
DIA 2013 49th Annual Meeting connects all partners involved in bringing new therapies to patients. Historically, this enterprise has focused on drug development, but today those partners include a very diverse range of stakeholders from biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical device companies, to regulatory agencies, scientific and academic communities, service payers and providers, and patient organizations. See for Yourself What Others Say about the DIA Annual Meeting...

Global Patient Initiatives
Patient organizations are key stakeholders in DIA’s mission to foster innovation to improve health and well-being worldwide. Find out how you can make an impact as a patient group representative.

Questions About the Application or Eligibility?
Contact Donna Mayer at Donna.Mayer@diahome.org.

Special Discount for Patient Organizations:
DIA offers another opportunity for patient organizations at the Annual Meeting by offering registration
for only $250, which includes a one-year complimentary e-membership. Proof of 501 (c)(3) status required. Download the registration form.