APPIS INNOVATOR PROGRAM 2024
Our 2024 Program at a glance

49
Entries

21
Countries and territories

7
Finalists

3
Winners

We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all patient organizations who have taken part in the program for their continuous efforts in bringing positive change to the lives of patients in their countries. Find out more about our winners and how they are creating impact on the ground for their communities below.
So Brave (Australia)
So Brave is an Australian initiative that brings together young breast cancer survivors to raise awareness of breast cancer in young women aged 15-40. This is done through ‘SMART women are #breastaware’ workshops and the ‘Youth Health Leadership Program’ – programs which have been running in collaboration with high schools and universities across Australia since 2018.
Through the APPIS Innovator Program, So Brave is planning to further expand the reach of these programs and educate more young women about breast health and the need for early detection and prevention measures. This includes training five new facilitators, delivering 15 new sessions and a 10% increase in So Brave brand awareness, to enable new engagement opportunities in more schools.
Through this partnership, So Brave is poised to expand its reach further and fill a critical gap in health literacy for breast health education and advocacy amongst young Australian women.
For information, visit https://sobrave.org.au
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So Brave is honoured to win the APPIS Innovator Program award. As Australia’s only young women’s breast cancer charity, we look forward to scaling our education and awareness program and making a lasting impact on the young women of Australia.
Rachelle Panitz
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Managing Director and Founder of So Brave Australia



Breast Health Foundation (South Africa)
In South Africa, breast cancer education programs fail to address diverse cultural beliefs and health literacy levels. This gap has been identified by the Breast Health Foundation, an organization committed to combating breast cancer through education, awareness, and support services.
Through its partnership with the APPIS Innovator Program, the Breast Health Foundation aims to prioritize breast cancer care in every community, overcome cultural barriers and promote more accurate understanding of breast cancer so that no woman faces late-stage cancer due to lack of awareness or access to care.
This includes the use of a Breast Health Awareness Assessment tool to understand current understanding as well as misconceptions around breast health in some of South Africa’s most vulnerable communities. Through these assessments, the Breast Health Foundation aims to leverage this evidence-based information to tailor interventions and educational efforts to the specific needs of each demographic.
Through its partnership with the APPIS Innovator Program, the Breast Health Foundation aims to expand its reach, develop targeted interventions, and strengthen partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of its initiatives.
For information, visit https://www.mybreast.org.za
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The BHF is thrilled to be selected as an APPIS Innovator winner.
This opportunity will significantly expand our outreach to vulnerable women in rural and peri-urban areas, offering crucial education, screening support, and culturally sensitive breast health awareness initiatives.
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Louise Turner
COO/Director of Breast Health Foundation



Cancer Warriors Foundation Philippines
The Cancer Warriors Foundation (CWF) Philippines is dedicated to helping save lives, build better futures and keep hope alive for children and adolescents living with cancer as well as young cancer survivors and their families.
CWF recognizes that, despite national efforts to promote and support cancer prevention and control in the Philippines, there remain huge gaps in cancer care delivery, with striking disparities between rural, peri-urban, and urban populations.
The National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) is a vital legislation in the Philippines aimed at addressing the increasing burden of cancer. Through the APPIS Innovator Program, CWF is aiming to advance and accelerate the localization of NICCA through the creation and dissemination of a handbook, designed to support Local Government units and other stakeholders through step-by-step guidelines and tailored recommendations. Through this program, CWF hopes to drive momentum to address the complex challenges in cancer control, clarify myths about cancer care and ensure patients, survivors and families are heard, valued and included in health policy shaping in the Philippines.
For information, visit https://c-warriors.org
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We are honored and inspired by this recognition. Partnering with
APPIS will enable us to scale up our whole of government and whole
of society initiatives to transform cancer care, localize the nation’s
integrated cancer control act for better care and more cures.
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Carmen Auste
Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Warriors Foundation Philippines


