In August 2026 VOICE-Ireland took place for the first time in Ireland. This is an immersive scientific training residency for cancer Patient Advocates, and as part of it, participants visited Trinity College Dublin where they learnt more about CLuB’s work on liquid biopsies and extracellular vesicles with respect to cancer diagnosis. There were demonstrations of the equipment used for this so that the participants would get a greater understanding of blood and tissue biobanking, and how to find cancer cells in blood. A short video here gives you a taste of their experience with CLuB.
Two of the patient advocates on the organising committee, Jacqueline Daly and Aidan McCormick, kindly provided us with a few words on their experience of the visit.
“It was an absolute pleasure to see the participants of Voice Ireland engaging with the incredible work being carried on liquid biopsies by CLuB at Trinity College. The opportunity to use the equipment and gain a deeper understanding of blood and tissue biobanking, and how cancer cells can be detected in the bloodstream, was truly invaluable. Experiences like this bring science to life for patient advocates and help us to better understand the research that is shaping the future of cancer diagnosis and care. A huge thank you to all the PhD students who generously gave their time and shared knowledge and engaged so enthusiastically with our participants. It was wonderful to witness such curiosity, learning and collaboration, and an inspiring experience for everybody involved. Thank you, Trinity College Dublin. For such a fantastic opportunity. This is what empowering patient advocates through science is all about.” Jacqueline Daly
“As patients and carers, we believe our lived experience of cancer is essential in helping shape cancer research and that the Patient Voice can positively influence the research agenda, not just simply comment on it.
The VOICE-Ireland initiative exists because the cancer patient and carer perspectives are not just valuable but when utilised appropriately can positively aid transformation. VOICE‑Ireland considers advocates and the cancer research community as close partners in research, clinical trials, and policy development.
Engaging with the All-Ireland Cancer Liquid Biopsies Consortium (CLuB) Research Team at Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute provided participants with an amazing and unique teaching and learning experience. Thirteen Patient Advocates and the Course Development Team gained hands-on laboratory practice in Liquid Biopsy innovation, met leading researchers, and learned how current trends and developments in modern diagnostics and treatments work giving them the tools to challenge assumptions, ask pertinent questions, and shape research priorities. It is hoped their applied scientific experiences will empower stronger patient advocacy. Working together, the CLuB Consortium and VOICE-Ireland provided a truly invaluable discovery opportunity. Thank you to everyone involved.” Aidan McCormick
Thanks to everyone who worked to make this a success: Prof. Lorraine O'Driscoll, Dr Sharon O’Toole, Dr Kathy Gately, Dr Christina Cahill, Ms Faye Lewis, Dr Brian David Henderson, Prof. John O'Leary, Ms Sinead Hurley, Ms Lauren McMahon, Ms Hannah O'Toole and Ms Marika Kanjuga at Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, TCD; Ms Chantal Halley and Ms Anisa Shah from AICRI; patient advocates Mrs Jacqueline Daly, Ms Debbie Keatley, Mr Aidan McCormick, Mrs Krista Costello and Ms Roberta Horgan, and to all the VOICE-Ireland participants.
Also thank you to the Higher Education Authority for funding the work of CLuB and making our involvement with this possible.