Apathy on the part of patients is a barrier, as cancer by itself is devastating and all consuming, making it difficult for patients to think beyond themselves. Ensuring the public knows where to go for comprehensive clinical trial options long before a diagnosis will increase participation.
Cancer clinical trials are often an after thought or considered only after all other options have been exhausted. Bringing awareness to the forefront will encourage participation as a first option and not the last.
Patient advocates/option seekers are often caregivers and loved ones; therefore, it will be just as important to reach that audience as it is the cancer patient.
The primary obstacle is financial which includes identifying partners willing to take on a project of this scope pro bono. By pitching the idea and solution within the community of clinical researchers, oncologists, research centers, survivors and others who are passionate about cancer clinical trial completion we will be able to network and develop relationships to support the program.
The increase in accrual will be evident and measurable, as the brand gets stronger. When enrollment in cancer trials increases by 10-20% in the 18 months it will be a feather in our cap. This is legacy work and this is about training the eyes and ears to tune into research in order for those newly diagnosed to seek research options on their own and make it easy for them to find and navigate the scary waters of a cancer diagnosis.
The Kissing Cancer Goodbye, One Trial at a Time logo and tagline will become synonymous with Clinical Trials for Cancer Patients. Just as the "swoop" is synonymous with Nike, so will be the logo of "Kissing Cancer Goodbye, One Trial at a Time. The website will be the first place patients, caregivers or loved one will think to go when faced with a diagnosis.
The idea/concept is about advocacy and not study specific; therefore, there should not be any regulatory hurdles to overcome.
Initially, I wanted to do this for Pancreatic Cancer Research. My husband is a pancreatic cancer survivor (6.5 years) and I wanted to do a Kiss Pancreatic Cancer Goodbye campaign. I reached out a couple of local advocacy groups; we had some conversations, but it never happened. I found this opportunity and I am so excited to redirect my passion for desire to increase awareness of cancer clinical trials through the Clinical Trial Innovation Prize.
