The Patient Advisory Board aids patients in raising their questions and expressing their desires related to NCT Heidelberg. Contact persons are twelve experienced advisory board members from oncological self-help groups and patients at the NCT Heidelberg, officially represented by a spokeswoman and a deputy spokeswoman.
NCT Patient Advisory Board
Assistance for questions and suggestions
The Patient Advisory Board is available as a neutral and independent partner and supports everyone in forwarding their concerns quickly to the right place. The Advisory Board regularly discusses suggestions for improvement and suggestions with the NCT Heidelberg management and develops measures, for example in improving communication between the patient and the medical staff. In addition, the patient advisory board is available to researchers and physicians at the NCT Heidelberg for the planning of clinical patient-related research projects.
The self-help coordinator Anne Müller is responsible for coordinating the patient advisory board.
Phone: +49 6221 56-32835; E-mail: anne.mueller@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Patient Advisory Board of NCT Heidelberg
Imke Veit-Schirmer
Spokeswoman Patient Advisory Board NCT Heidelberg
Deputy Spokeswoman Patient Research Council NCT Heidelberg
Patient representative
In 2016, I was a patient at the NCT Heidelberg myself. Even though I’m now considered healthy, I still feel very connected to the NCT Heidelberg, because a cancer disease and the associated fears have a long-lasting effect even after successful treatment - probably for a lifetime. That is why I’m very happy to work as a member of the Patient Advisory Board and would like to contribute to further improving the situation of patients at the NCT Heidelberg.
Even though I have always felt safe and, above all, very well cared for medically at the NCT Heidelberg, I have also noticed every now and then that there is still room for improvement, particularly with regard to communication between medical specialists and patients, the way in which information is passed on, as well as and the organization of appointments. The Patient Advisory Board can contribute to this.
It is also important that the Patient Advisory Board is an independent body to which patients and their relatives can turn at any time with their concerns and needs, questions and suggestions in an unbureaucratic manner. Here, the enormous expertise of the self-help representatives is of particular importance.
Cindy Körner
Deputy Spokeswoman Patient Advisory Board NCT Heidelberg
Spokeswoman Patient Research Council NCT Heidelberg
Patient representative
Cancer research has been a great passion of mine since I started studying biology. Now I pursue this passion as a scientist at the German Cancer Research Center. Due to my breast cancer diagnosis in 2020, I suddenly went from being a cancer researcher to a cancer patient. Thanks to the excellent treatment at the NCT Heidelberg, my prognosis is very good. That’s why I want to use my knowledge as well as my experience from the patient's point of view to further improve the communication between physicians and patients and to contribute to making clinical trials more patient-oriented.
Claudia Bischoff
Patient representative
Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, I also came to the NCT Heidelberg as a patient. After numerous further training courses and a contact study in palliative care, I also completed training as a family grief counselor. As a patient advisor, I would like to advocate for the concerns and needs of patients and their families.
Christine Dahms
Patient representative
BRCA network help with familial cancers e.V. Heidelberg discussion group
As a relative of a cancer patient, I have had a relationship with the NCT Heidelberg since 2015 and have had a very good experience, whether from the medical side or from the staff. I am an honorary member of the Patient Advisory Board. I’m happy to work for you and your relatives with empathy and cordiality.
Annette Hans
Patient representative
Self-help group in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region for lung cancer patients and their families
I would like to stand up for the needs and rights of patients and their relatives when they are unable to do so themselves. The Patient Advisory Board should act as a mouthpiece to achieve the best possible treatment and the elimination of ambiguities. It should also bring praise and comments to those responsible at the NCT Heidelberg.
Christa Knebel
Patient representative
Self-help group for leukemia and lymphoma help in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region
It is particularly important to me to act as a mediator between patients and physicians. As I myself am affected by an incurable disease, I understand the fears and worries of these patients very well. With empathy and commitment, I am very happy to act as a link.
Sabrina Scherbarth
Patient representative (Patient Advisory Board / Patient Research Counsil)
I have had experience with cancer for over 18 years. It has become a companion in my life, which is so worth living. I have also been undergoing treatment at the NCT Heidelberg for several years. A world has opened up to me that shows the way into the future. Individualized medicine and a team of people with whom I feel understood and in good hands. Tomorrow is never certain, but the NCT Heidelberg shows the way to the future of medicine with its therapeutic approaches. Therefore, I would like to contribute my knowledge, my empathy and my experience as a member of the Patient Advisory Board.
Renate Schoenmakers
Patient representative (Patient Advisory Board / Patient Research Counsil)
Self-help group mamazone – women and research against breast cancer e.V., regional group Heidelberg-Mannheim
As a patient representative on the NCT Patient Advisory Board, regional leader of the mamazone self-help group and as a (former) patient, it is a matter close to my heart to use my experience to ensure that patients feel well treated and cared for at NCT Heidelberg, that their questions are answered and their fears and worries are heard, and that a good, joint solution is found when problems arise.
Prof. Dr. Patrick Schloss
Patient representative
Self-help group ILCO Group Mannheim (focus on stoma and colon cancer)
I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer a few years ago and after successful therapy and surgery I now have an artificial bowel outlet, i.e. a stoma. I would therefore like to use my personal experience to provide advice and support to similarly affected patients and help you to cope with life with a stoma or with colorectal cancer.
Natalie Schweigert
Patient representative (Patient Advisory Board / Patient Research Counsil)
My long-standing private friendship with a Breast Care Nurse (BCN) not only brought me closer to the topics of breast cancer, oncology, psycho-oncology, early detection and prevention, but also gave me the greatest respect for this profession. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer (TNBC) in August 2020, I suddenly went from being an interested private individual to a cancer patient. My treatment (neoadjuvant chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, adjuvant percutaneous radiotherapy; additional genetic disposition ATM) took place in Switzerland. After my return to Germany in May 2022, I am now confronted with different aftercare systems and services in regular aftercare. I would therefore like to use my experience from the patient's perspective to help continuously improve the needs and communication between patients and doctors and to make clinical trials more patient-oriented.
Tina Zahn
Patient representative
Self-help group German Foundation for Young Adults with Cancer - Meeting Point Heidelberg
Cancer knows no age! My name is Tina Zahn and I was diagnosed with astrocythoma3 (brain tumor) in 08/2010, at the age of 27. Together with other people affected, I represent the Heidelberg Meeting Point of the German Foundation for Young Adults with Cancer. We want to use our own experience to further expand and promote the care and support of young persons affected at the NCT Heidelberg.