The CML Community Advisory Board (CML-CAB) is a working group of the CML Advocates Network. Based on the proven ECAB model implemented by the HIV patient community and EATG for more than a decade, CML-CAB meetings, are community-run advisory boards where the patient community decides on the topics of highest relevance and impact for the patient community. 

The CML-CAB aims to promote best-in class CML research as well as the harmonisation of good clinical practice, standard of care and access to best available CML therapies and diagnostic tools. Participants of the CML-CAB meetings have the opportunity of a two-way dialogue discussing key topics in CML between key leading advocates of the patient community and external stakeholders, and potential follow-up actions. External stakeholders attending the CAB meeting can make suggestions for agenda points, but the final decision on the agenda rests with the CML-CAB chairs (currently 2) who decide in the interest of the community.

The CML Advocates Network believes that the establishment of this accountable network of advocates who speak from the unique perspective of CML patients will help improve research, facilitate community capacity building and help tackle the many challenges faced in ensuring access to optimal support, treatment and care.

CML Community Advisory Board (CML-CAB) has the objective of providing researchers, academics, government, policy makers, authorities and the pharmaceutical industry with advice and input on different issues that impact on patients’ lives. It aims to promote best-in-class CML research as well as the harmonisation of good clinical practice, standard of care and access to best available CML therapies and diagnostic tools. 

The common goal of the CML-CAB is:

• Improving the quality of patient information and education;
• Ensuring patient needs are considered when setting research priorities;
• Developing patient friendly clinical trials;
• Helping interested patients access clinical trials;
• Promoting the harmonisation of good clinical and manufacturing practices;
• Addressing problems CML patients face in accessing optimal diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and care;
• Helping patients get the best out of their therapies;
• Building CML advocacy community capacity.

The CML-CAB is currently comprised of:

• 2 chairs: Jan Geissler (chair, Germany) Pat Garcia-Gonzalez (co-chair, USA)
• 17 CAB-members (as per October 2019) representing the 6 world regions

Current members of the CML-CAB are (by region):

Western Europe & Israel:

• Rita Christensen (Denmark)
• Cornelia Borowczak (Germany)
• Felice Bombaci (Italy)
• Zack Pemberton-Whiteley (UK)
• Giora Sharf (Israel) 
• Yair Bar David (Israel) 

Eastern Europe:

• Šarūnas Narbutas (Lithuania)
• Jelena Cugurovic (Serbia)
• Jana Pelouchova (Czech Republic)

Africa:

• Bahija Gouimi (Morocco)
• Eunice Oreka (Nigeria)

Asia:

• Rod Padua (Philippines) 
• Yoke Choon Yong (Malaysia)
• Param Puthen (India)

Latin America:

• Mercedes Arteaga (Argentina)
• Silvia Castillo De Armas (Guatemala)

North America:

• Lisa Machado (Canada)

Members of the CML Advocates Network Steering Committee may additionally join CML-CAB meetings on the personal invitation of the chairs. 

Participation in CML-CAB meetings

It falls within the responsibility of the CML-CAB chairs to determine how many and which members from the CML-CAB member pool (and potentially others) will be invited to specific CAB-meetings. The CML-CAB chairs will select participants based on their skills (identified in CML-CAB self-assessment survey established for this sole purpose) and the expertise and experience required for the particular meeting. The CML-CAB chairs’ choice shall reflect the expertise required for particular meeting to the best possible extend. In global CML-CAB meetings, the agreed minimum number of 8 participants (one representative of each region plus the two chairs) must not be undercut.

CML-CAB Management Team

Jan Geissler 

(Germany)
CML-CAB Chair

since May 2019

 … and co-founder of the CML Advocates Network. CML survivor and passionate patient advocate for almost 20 years.

Pat Garcia-Gonzalez 

(USA)
CML-CAB Co-Chair

since May 2019 

… and CEO of The Max Foundation. For more than 20 years restlessly dedicated to improving the lives of cancer survivors around the world.

Nicole Schröter
CML-CAB Officer

since July 2019

… but loyal to the CML community since 2013. 

Denis Costello

(Spain)
Executive Director 

CML Advocates Network

since September 2019

Confidentiality

CML-CAB operates under confidentiality, which is of paramount importance for the smooth and efficient functioning of CML-CAB. CML-CAB is a platform to discuss issues of highest relevance to both the patient community as well as the company in a two-way dialogue. Signing a Confidentiality Agreement is therefore a prerequisite for CML-CAB members´ participation.

Interested?

If you are a private individual and CML patient expert interested in becoming a CML-CAB member

OR

If you are a representative of a pharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of CML patients around the world and interested in being invited to a CML-CAB,

• please contact our CML-CAB officer Nicole at