PHILADELPHIA, October 8^th, 2004.  MAGNUM management team was invited to attend the 2004 Patient Advocacy Leaders Summit (PALS) Congress held October 6-8 in Philadelphia, PA, USA.  MAGNUM's management team included Executive Director Michael John Coleman, Information Services Director Susan Moeller Denny, and Legislative Director Terri Miller Burchfield.  The event was organized by GlaxoSmithKline and brought together over 200 patient advocacy leaders from health non-government organizations (NGOs) from around the world. 

 

MAGNUM's Information Services Director Susan Denny with an International advocate attending a PALS communications workshop.

The program was developed by patient leaders for patient leaders and provided valuable training in best practices, media training, fundraising, and writing position papers. 

Jeff Peterson, Director of Strategic Operations for State Government Affairs of GSK, offers expertise and discussion during one of the many educational workshops held opening day.

Those participating in the PALS Summit enjoyed an exciting event for patient advocacy leaders from North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions of the world. The Summit began with a Kickoff Luncheon, Wednesday, October 6^th.  Those who attended experienced a diverse gathering of more than 200 non-governmental organizations that exchanged ideas and issues that face all health advocates.  The Summit concluded on Friday, October 8 after an emotional and uplifting talk by famous athlete and AIDS advocate Magic Johnson.

Basketball legend Magic Johnson offers words of encouragement to the delight of the patient advocate leaders during the events closing event.

MAGNUM enjoyed meeting and working with a diverse group of patient group leaders representing coalitions and organizations for mental health, HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, arthritis, Alzheimer's, Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis and other diseases.   In addition, leaders representing the interests of the elderly, children, the disabled and diverse ethnic, racial, national, and cultural groups attended.  Leaders from ten nations where in attendance including such leaders as Audrey Craven, founder of the Migraine Association of Ireland, and recipient of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (EGA) Award from the WHA (World Headache Alliance) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to patient empowerment in Migraine & headache.

MAGNUM looks forward to applying some of the ideas it developed while attending the PALS event and looks forward to future opportunities to work with other non-Migraine and pain-related health advocates.   MAGNUM appreciates Anne Easter, Jeff Peterson, and Laurie Thibaud of GlaxoSmithKline for their leadership and initiative provided to the health advocacy community.

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