Patient Advocacy in Africa: Giving Voice to the Lived Experience.
A patient advocate who brings lived experience into policy.
Dr. Denise Uzoma Ejoh is a British-Nigerian cancer patient advocate, educator, author and international speaker with over ten years of experience championing the needs and rights of people affected by cancer. She is the Founder and CEO of Cormode Cancer Foundation, established in 2019 to promote cancer awareness, education, patient support and advocacy, particularly within underserved communities.
Living with stage IV breast cancer for more than ten years, Denise brings lived experience and professional expertise to her work, advocating for equitable access to cancer information, early diagnosis, patient-centered care and the meaningful involvement of patients and survivors in research and policy development.
Holding a PhD in Education, specializing in Leadership, Policy and Change, she is also an author whose work promotes cancer awareness, resilience, hope and education, particularly among young people. Through her writing, advocacy, research collaborations and international engagements, she works to empower communities, strengthen patient voices and influence positive change.
Grounded in her Christian faith, Denise believes that lived experience can shape policy, transform perspectives and inspire others to find purpose in the face of adversity.
Her message is simple: every patient deserves a voice, every life matters, and a cancer diagnosis should never diminish a person’s dignity, hope or purpose.