Tony Newberne: standing up for change

At 39-years-old, Tony Newberne was shocked to hear his diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, a rare form of leukemia.

Now, Tony is a proud patient advocate for a number of leading national nonprofit organizations, including PAN. Equipped with his personal experience with cancer and passion for increasing representation in clinical trials, he’s joined PAN in Washington, D.C., for its Advocacy Action Summit two years in a row. Most recently, during the 2024 Advocacy Action Summit, he was recognized with PAN’s Advocacy Impact Award for his dedication to improving access to care through his advocacy work.

If I had not advocated for myself, I would have died after leaving the hospital.”

– Tony Newburne

In his advocacy work, Tony emphasizes the importance of representation in clinical trials in order to create more safe and effective treatments. He shares his own first-hand experience with wanting to participate in clinical trials to encourage others to do the same.

Tony currently serves as a member of the PAN Foundation Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). By sharing key insights and feedback related to the healthcare access and affordability issues he’s faced, Tony serves as a key ambassador and advisor to the work of PAN.

Outside of his advocacy work, Tony is a certified personal trainer and dietary manager. In his spare time, he enjoys spending quality time with his partner and dog, working in his vegetable garden, and watching a good Netflix series.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on the PAN Foundation’s Patient and Family Advisory Council to ensure the voice of patients like me continue to be at the forefront of their programming and advocacy efforts.”

– Tony Newburne