In 2018, 77.4 million people performed some form of volunteering in America, equaling 6.9 billion hours served. Although every volunteer opportunity is essential, those who give their time to participate in clinical trials play a significant role. This Thanksgiving season, Stamford Therapeutics wants to take the time to thank clinical trial volunteers, but also share why their role is so vital.
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials help determine if a new treatment or device is safe and effective for a variety of conditions. Once a new, promising treatment is discovered, it’s safety and effectiveness are investigated in a lab and then animals. If approved, it will then move on to be researched in humans through clinical trials. These new options may have fewer side effects and may work better compared to currently available treatments.
The Impact
Volunteers for clinical trials can be either healthy volunteers or diagnosed with the specific condition the trial is investigating. As someone diagnosed with a condition, clinical trials help provide more effective treatment options to better manage your health. As a healthy volunteer, you play a role in delivering better treatment options for future generations. The impact a clinical trial volunteer has is different for everyone. Let’s look at some of their stories.
Zenovia’s uncle passed away due to complications from AIDS. For years, her family referred to his illness as “cancer” until she found out he had HIV when she was a sophomore in high school. She wondered how many other families struggled to be honest with themselves and others. These events led her to become more active in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness in her area, along with participating in numerous HIV vaccine studies.
Being diagnosed with stage 4, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 15 is rare. However, this is the reality Olivia Wein faced. The odds were not in her favor, but because of her young age, and the treatment she received through a clinical trial, she is now 50 and makes the most out of every day.
Warner is currently participating in a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. He does not have Alzheimer’s, but he does have a family history. His participation helps researchers discover more effective treatment and prevention options and move closer and closer to a cure.
Make a Difference by Volunteering in a Clinical Trial
On behalf of the staff at Stamford Therapeutics, we want to give a heartfelt thank you to our past, present, and future clinical trial volunteers. YOU make clinical trials possible. Countless clinical trial opportunities are taking place all over the world. If you are ready to learn more about volunteering, our staff is prepared to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Our site specializes in autoimmune, dermatological, and rheumatic disease clinical trials. If you are living with one of these chronic conditions, clinical trials may be an option for you. To learn more about our currently enrolling studies, please call (203) 325-8529, or visit our website. Qualified participants may receive study-related treatment and care and reimbursement for time and travel.
References:
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you/personal-stories