BARRY D. STEIN, B.COM., B.C.L., LL.B.

President, Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada

Barry D. Stein graduated from McGill University and has been a member of the Barreau du Quebec since 1981. An accomplished lawyer and president of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC), he actively represents the interests of cancer patients and speaks regularly to medical professionals, industry, government, and patient groups both in Canada and internationally covering various aspects of colorectal cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship.

Under Barry’s stewardship, the CCAC has developed award winning national awareness and educational programs, support initiatives for patients and their families as well as advocacy on their behalf. Barry has been a key advocate for primary prevention, screening initiatives and equal and timely access to effective treatments to improve outcomes for cancer patients. His efforts have led not only to important changes in health care policy in Canada, but the implementation of provincial colorectal cancer screening programs as well as improved access to drugs and treatments. He has also helped to create innovative and much needed support programs which led to the establishing of the CCAC’s national network of cancer coaches providing peer to peer support to thousands of patients. Today, the support program is part of the CCAC’s national cancer coach support network. Barry is a survivor of metastatic colon cancer. He was diagnosed in 1995 when he was obliged to seek health care outside of Canada to fight his disease. His judgement against RAMQ, obtained in the Superior Court of Quebec in 1999, serves as a leading precedent in Canada for the reimbursement of out of country health care for patients.