Patient Research Council NCT SouthWest

Roland Baier

Many years of professional experience in hospital management and several serious cases of cancer in my immediate personal environment, with some tragic experiences, have sparked my interest in oncology. I would therefore like to help ensure that studies to improve oncological therapies are designed in a patient-oriented way and that the corresponding results can be quickly incorporated into treatment standards.

Also active as a patient representative at the University Hospital Ulm (CCCU).

Dr. Günter Frey

In May 2021, three years after my retirement, I was diagnosed with oligometastatic prostate cancer with metastases in the lesser pelvis and in two vertebral bodies in the thoracic spine. Since then, my cancer has been in complete remission with anti-hormone therapy and after stereotactic radiation of the tumor and the lymph node and vertebral metastases.

As an intensive care physician (formerly Senior Physician at the Clinic for Anesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Emergency Medicine at the Bundeswehr Hospital Ulm) and as an affected cancer patient, I am, so to speak, an “interpreter” for communication between medical cancer researchers on the one hand and cancer patients as medical laymen on the other.

Also active as a patient representative at the University Hospital Ulm (CCCU).

Heike Gantke (deputy spokesperson)

At the beginning of 2021, I was diagnosed with lung cancer, ALK-positive, initially with a curative therapy approach (surgery and chemotherapy). Since my progression in August 2021, I have been treated with targeted therapy.

By sharing patient knowledge and experiences with physicians and researchers, I would like to contribute to the development of even better treatment methods. I am also committed to ensuring that more patients have access to clinical trials.

Also active on the board of zielGENau e.V., a patient network for personalized lung cancer therapy.

Erik Grahneis

After several bouts of lymphoma, chemotherapy and radiation, an allogeneic stem cell transplant gave me a valuable lease on life. There have also been tumor diseases in my immediate family – with varying outcomes.  I would like to give something back by contributing my experiences as a patient and relative to the discussion and testing of new treatment approaches with researchers and physicians. I would like to contribute to making positive study results available to many patients more quickly.

Also active as a patient representative at the University Hospital Tübingen (CCC-TS).

Dr. Annette Lang

As a patient representative/voice of patients at NCT Southwest, I would like to contribute my experience from my own illness (breast cancer) by:

• Supporting new therapeutic approaches/treatment options (implementing research findings in everyday clinical practice, faster availability for affected patients)
• Involving the patient perspective in all research activities and decision-making processes, as well as involving patients as research partners.

Also active as a patient representative at the University Hospital Tübingen (CCC-TS).

Norman Roßberg (spokesperson)

In 2016, at the age of 33, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Fortunately, I have been in remission ever since.

The patient is a responsible person and should therefore be increasingly involved in decision-making processes and actions. I would like to further advance the topic of physician-patient communication. I also see great potential in involving patients in clinical trials at an early stage – as those affected, we can certainly provide valuable input based on our experiences with the disease.

Also active as a patient representativ at the Ulm University Hospital (CCCU).

Anette Spitzenpfeil

I am happy to be healthy again after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Based on my own experience as a cancer patient and my in-depth professional expertise in market research, I am committed to keeping patient needs in focus in studies in my role as a patient research advisor. Above all, I consider good and comprehensible communication from all parties to be essential so that those who are ill can be well cared for and accompanied and are informed as best as possible about their illness and its progression.

Also active as a patient representative at the Robert Bosch Hospital Stuttgart (RBCT); Women's Cancer Self-Help Association, Regional Association of BW-BY (lead: Stuttgart); founder and team member of the Pink Paddling Team “Pink Broncos” in Stuttgart.

Karin Strube

As a young woman, I was diagnosed with a very rare soft tissue sarcoma. However, the therapy used was unspecific due to a lack of clinical trials. I will never forget the surprise of the physicians that they were still able to save me. That is why I am now committed to research in oncology, with a focus on rare diseases.

The autonomy and decision-making competence of patients is also particularly important to me – because I am convinced that optimal therapy can only be provided on this basis.

Also a member of the NCT National Patient Research Council; spokesperson of the patient advisory board at the Robert Bosch Hospital Stuttgart (RBCT); managing partner of the Strube Foundation; SCIANA Fellow.

Dr. Manfred Vodegel

In early 2016, I was diagnosed with advanced-stage colorectal cancer. An experienced surgeon saved my life, and a diligent oncologist accompanied me through six months of adjuvant chemotherapy. I feel great gratitude for the “regained” time. I want to give something back to current and future cancer patients, physicians, researchers, and nurses.

I am also very interested in current scientific developments and would like to help ensure that new findings and procedures are made available to those affected as quickly as possible, thus improving the chances of survival or even recovery.

Also active as a patient representative at the University Hospital Tübingen (CCC-TS).

Elvira Wäckerle

I joined the “Förderkreis für tumor- und leukämiekranke Kinder in Ulm” (Ulm Children's Cancer Society) when my son was diagnosed with leukemia in 1995 and have been the first chairwoman since 2005. I have been representing the interests of children with cancer and their parents for 20 years. I am also a member of the Ethics Committee of Ulm University Hospital.

Also the spokesperson for the Patient Advisory Board at Ulm University Hospital (CCCU); 1st Chairwoman of the “Förderkreis für tumor- und leukämiekranke Kinder Ulm e. V.” (Ulm Children's Cancer Society).