Rising Tide Webinar Series Highlights Success Stories of Patient and Community Engagement in Cancer Research in LMICs

August 6, 2026

The Partnering with Patients to Improve Clinical Trials webinar series, developed by the Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research in collaboration with the LUNGevity Foundation, recently released a new episode showcasing impactful stories of patient partner involvement across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Patient Advocates Lead the Way in Lung Cancer Research Engagement Across LMICs

A recent episode of the webinar series spotlighted the critical role of patient and community engagement in advancing lung cancer research in LMICs. The session explored how grassroots advocacy can build trust, strengthen research partnerships, and drive systemic change in settings where resources are often limited.

The webinar featured powerful, ontheground perspectives from patient advocates working at the frontlines of change. Vivek Tomar, founder of Rise to Survive Cancer in India, shared his journey as the country’s first lung cancer patient advocate and reflected on the transformative impact of clinical research access. He told the deeply personal story of his wife, Kusum, whose participation in a landmark clinical trial not only extended her life but also catalyzed important policy changes, ultimately opening doors for lung cancer trials across India.

From Africa, Caleb Egwuenu of Move Against Cancer Africa highlighted the need to move beyond awareness toward true advocacy that delivers structural change. He discussed innovative community mobilization strategies across the continent and reflected on the success of the Pan African Conference on Lung Cancer in Ghana, which convened more than 100 participants to address the growing burden of lung cancer in Africa. Egwuenu also outlined practical first steps for initiating lung cancer research projects in resourceconstrained settings, emphasizing community connections, stakeholder engagement, and regional collaboration.

Together, the speakers addressed challenging but essential questions: How can trust be built in communities historically skeptical of research? What does meaningful patient involvement look like when health systems are stretched thin? Despite the challenges, both advocates expressed optimism for the future, pointing to a new generation of digitally connected patient leaders and a rising interest in lung cancer research across LMICs.

The session underscored a shared message: sustainable progress in cancer research depends on centering patient voices and building authentic partnerships with the communities most affected.

Watch the webinar here.