CLuB co-investigator Dr Sharon O’Toole awarded a 2025 Dicey Scroggins Distinguished Advocate Award

The International Gynecologic Cancer Society is honoured to announce that the Irish Society of Gynaecological Oncology Public and Patient Involvement group (ISGOPPI) has been selected as one of three recipients of the 2025 Dicey Scroggins Distinguished Advocate Award.

Led by visionary co-founders Dr Sharon O’Toole and Yvonne O’Meara, ISGOPPI has become Ireland’s national leader in centering the patient voice within gynecologic cancer care, education, and research. The group operates under the umbrella of the Irish Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ISGO), a multidisciplinary society encompassing all gynecologic cancers. ISGOPPI has forged a strong, collaborative model for public and patient involvement that is transforming how ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers are understood, experienced, and addressed.

Dr Sharon O’Toole

Through groundbreaking initiatives such as the ThisIsGO.ie platform, the OvaCare navigation program, and nationwide awareness campaigns, ISGOPPI has built a powerful community of advocates, researchers, and survivors. Since its founding in 2016, the group has trained more than 100 patient partners in research methods, enabling true co-production of national policy, public education, and scientific discovery. Their work has contributed to earlier detection, better survivorship, and greater empowerment for women across Ireland and beyond.

ISGOPPI’s success is rooted in the passion and generosity of its members, their willingness to share their stories and expertise, and the dedication of healthcare professionals committed to improving outcomes through partnership. The legacy of this group - and of Sharon and Yvonne’s leadership - is perhaps best measured in the lives they’ve touched: from individual patients finding community and strength, to national health systems shaped by survivor voices, to international collaborations inspired by their inclusive approach.

Through compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to equity, ISGOPPI truly embodies the spirit of Dicey Scroggins. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions to gynecologic cancer advocacy.

CLuB were delighted to run a joint PPI training workshop in 2024 in conjunction with ISGOPPI.