Funding secured to improve support for people with lung cancer

Prof Gini Harrison, from The Open University's School of Psychology and Counselling, has been awarded £110k from Maggie's to help develop a new digital platform that connects people living with oncogene-driven lung cancer to trusted information and support.

The project, NAVIGATE-ODLC (Navigation and Access to Verified Information and Guidance through an Alliance of Third-sector Organisations), will bring together lung cancer charities, academic researchers, clinicians and patient representatives to co-design, develop and evaluate an independently governed online navigation platform.
People diagnosed with lung cancer often face a complex landscape of information and support services. The new platform aims to make it easier to access reliable, evidence-based resources by bringing trusted guidance together in one place.

A key feature of the project is its collaborative approach, with patients and third-sector organisations playing a central role in shaping the platform. Long-term sustainability will also be built into the project through charity-led hosting and establishing a governance framework.

By helping people find the information and support they need more easily, the project aims to empower those affected by oncogene-driven lung cancer and improve access to trusted resources throughout their care journey.

For more information on Gini’s research, you can watch the five-minute video ‘So What are the issues around non-smoking related Lung Cancer?’ on YouTube.