What is the ADP?

ALAN has a growing community of acute leukemia patients and caregivers who are eager to get involved in advocacy. The Advocate Development Programme (ADP) is designed to support that engagement with structured training and clear guidance on how to get started and contribute effectively.

The ADP is designed for people with little or no previous advocacy experience, helping you build a strong foundation.

What you will gain

Objective 1: Develop advocacy skills

Gain knowledge, practical tools and resources to contribute to ALAN’s advocacy activities.

Objective 2: Build confidence to represent your community

Grow the confidence and skills to represent the acute leukemia community at local, national and international levels.

How the ADP works

Format: A blended learning format combining live and recorded webinars with an interactive element (quizzes, games, role-play, Q&A). All course materials are provided through Google Classroom
Length: 9 webinars in total, up to 2 hours each, running roughly once a month.
Duration: Approximately 9 months, starting with a kick-off and self-assessment, followed by monthly webinars from November 2026 to June 2027.
Between webinars: Easy-to-read practical materials shared between sessions to reinforce learning and help you apply what you’ve learned.
Mentoring: Optional mentoring support from the ALAN team to help you put your new skills into practice.
Group size: Up to 15 participants.
Communication: dedicated group (what’sapp or telegram)
Recognition: A diploma recognizing your participation, commitment and engagement throughout the ADP.

Webinar topics

Themes cover both disease-specific knowledge and cross-disease advocacy skills:

#	Webinar theme
1	Foundations: acute leukemia and patient advocacy
2	Building and sustaining a patient organization
3	Clinical literacy for patient advocates
4	The clinical picture: ALL and AML
5	The EU healthcare system: where patients have a voice
6	Healthcare systems beyond the EU: where patients have a voice
7	Evidence-based advocacy
8	Strategic communications and network building
9	Responsible AI for patient advocates: practical tools to accelerate advocacy work

Optional add-on: a preparatory webinJar for participants attending the European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, offering practical guidance on making the most of the meeting and identifying advocacy opportunities.

Indicative timeline

August – September 2026: Registration, kick-off, self-assessment and confirmation of participants.
November 2026 – July 2027: Monthly webinars begin, running through to June 2027, alongside optional ad-hoc mentoring sessions.
May 2027: Optional EHA Congress preparation webinar.
June 2027: EHA congress

What is expected of participants

Commit to attending live at least 80% of the lectures (monthly webinar of up to 2 hours each) for the full duration of the ADP.
- We will provide the schedule well in advance so that participants can plan their schedule accordingly
- We of course understand that conflicts will arise and asked that participants give 24 hours written notice to the program manager if they cannot attend

Completion of any missed lectures before the next one
Engage with short practical materials, reflection activities and evaluations between sessions.
Be willing to put learning into practice by supporting ALAN’s advocacy initiatives where relevant.
Sufficient fluency in English to take part in webinars and discussions.
Access to a computer with a working camera and microphone for virtual sessions.

Who should apply

Acute leukemia patients and caregivers who are enthusiastic about advocacy and want to build the knowledge, skills and confidence to represent the acute leukemia community — no previous advocacy experience is required.

Programme Contact:

Samantha Nier samantha@acuteleuk.org