For patients, caregivers, and advocates in the gynecologic cancer community, knowledge is more than just information—it’s power. That belief is at the heart of this year’s Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) Patient & Advocate Education Forum, co-chaired by ovarian cancer survivor and advocate Sachia Stonefeld Powell, co-founder of the Powell-Drescher Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, who sees this forum as a transformative opportunity for those impacted by gynecologic cancers to gain critical insights, find community, and walk away empowered.

A Vision for Empowerment

Powell’s vision for the forum is clear: to equip patients with the knowledge they need to navigate their diagnoses with confidence. “I hope that the Forum is a powerful opportunity for patients to learn more about the progress being made in the treatments of the diseases with which they’ve been diagnosed, and how to live with their diagnoses to the fullest,” she shares.

Understanding treatment advancements, exploring survivorship strategies, and connecting with others on similar journeys can be life-changing. This is why the Forum, held in conjunction with the SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer, plays such a crucial role. Patients are not just passive recipients of care—they are active participants in their health journeys. “Patients are half of the physician-patient equation,” Powell explains. “It’s important for us to have an educational opportunity along with our providers, and for us all to learn together.”

Building Community, Inspiring Action

Beyond education, the Patient & Advocate Forum fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. Powell hopes attendees leave with more than just new information—she wants them to feel empowered. “Whether they’re empowered to manage their own health, empowered from newfound friends, or empowered to advocate in the way(s) that suit them best, I hope everyone walks away feeling stronger,” she says.

For many, the Forum is not just a place to learn but a space to connect. The exchange of personal experiences and collective wisdom is invaluable, and as the event continues to grow, Powell envisions an even greater emphasis on in-person engagement. “It would be wonderful to gather more patients, caregivers, and advocates each year in person because we learn so much from each other while also learning from the presentations,” she notes.

Collaboration for Progress

At its core, the Forum is about bridging gaps—between patients and providers, science and survivorship, knowledge and action. Powell firmly believes that meaningful progress in gynecologic cancer care requires a collaborative approach. “It will take the collaboration of the physician and the patient, the scientist and the survivor, to change the statistics around these diseases,” she says. “The Forum and the SGO Annual Meeting provide the opportunity for that collaboration to occur and for us to make real progress.”

As we look ahead to this year’s Patient & Advocate Education Forum, one thing is certain: the power of knowledge, community, and advocacy will be on full display, shaping the future of gynecologic cancer care—one empowered patient at a time.

Learn more about the 2025 FWC Patient & Advocate Education Forum or register here!