Patients’ needs and quality of life are at the heart of BIG’s activities. BIG’s relationship with patient advocates started in the early 2000s with Europa Donna. Advocates from the Europa Donna network have been instrumental over the years to help BIG members better understand patients’ needs and ensure that BIG’s work stays relevant. In 2019 BIG initiated its Patient Partnership Initiative (PPI), the main objectives being to broaden and elevate BIG’s interaction with patients as partners in defining scientific priorities and to hear patients’ perspectives about how this interaction can evolve and deepen.