CISCRP Collaborates with Sanofi to Educate Community on Clinical Trials

CISCRP is delighted to announce the upcoming AWARE for All clinical research education and health fair event that will take place in Newark, NJ. The event will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers University – Newark.

AWARE for All is a free community education program, established by CISCRP, that provides information and resources about the clinical research process and clinical trial participation to help the public make informed decisions about their health. The event serves as a platform for dialogue between local patients, members of the public, and advocacy and research professionals. This particular event will have a theme of “Advancing Medicines, Everyone’s Invited” highlighting the importance of diversity in clinical research with a specific focus on diabetes research.

Sanofi US, the Host Sponsor of this event, has been working closely with CISCRP as part of a larger awareness-building campaign about the importance of diversity in clinical trials. “Sanofi is proud to sponsor the Newark AWARE for All event. This initiative will raise awareness of the importance of clinical trial participation,” said Peter Lalli, Head of Sanofi North America Corporate Social Responsibility. “This will not only aid in gaining access to new therapies, but also help ensure medicines are safe and effective across all patient populations.”

Other organizations collaborating on this program include the American Diabetes Association, Angel Flight East, Antidote, CenterWatch, Health Unlocked, Langland, CISCRP’s National Event Sponsor The Lupus Research Alliance, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – New Jersey Metro Chapter, Rutgers Health Sciences Campus at Newark, the Scott Research Center, and Sisters Network Essex County.

This community health event is also being recognized by Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. of New Jersey’s 10th District. Congressman Payne, Jr. comments, “We welcome the AWARE for All program to New Jersey as a chance for local residents to learn more about clinical research, diversity in clinical trial participation, and the importance of making informed decisions about one’s health care options. It is imperative to the advancement of medicine and science to include underrepresented groups in clinical research. I appreciate CISCRP and Sanofi US for bringing this information to the 10th District of New Jersey.”

Registration for AWARE for All is free and open to all. Attendees will have access to a variety of health screenings, dinner, prizes, and giveaways. There will also be informational exhibits, as well as a patient and professional panel discussion about participation in clinical research. The event will end with a Medical Heroes Appreciation Ceremony, honoring those who participate in clinical trials within the greater Newark community.

Ellyn Getz, Senior Manager of Development and Community Engagement at CISCRP remarks, “We are proud to bring this program to Newark for our premier New Jersey-based event. With Sanofi US’ generous host sponsorship, and support from other local organizations, we are working to increase health and clinical research literacy amongst the public, as well as to shed light on the many health-related resources available within the local community.”

AWARE for All Newark will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers University. Register today through http://www.everyonesinvited.org or by calling 1-877-MED-HERO (1-877-633-4376).

Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are still available; email cbudd@ciscrp.org to learn more.

CISCRP Recognizes WIRB-Copernicus Group’s Support and Donation to Clinical Trial Awareness and Education

The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation(CISCRP), an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to educating patients and the public about clinical research is pleased to thank and recognize WIRB-Copernicus Group® (WCG) for its recent support of CISCRP’s Medical Heroes 5K Run & Walk, held last week in Chicago, and its additional donation to CISCRP’s clinical research education and outreach programs.

CISCRP’s Medical Heroes 5K event, held at Burnham Park in Chicago on June 19th, was a chance for the local community, patients, family members, and professionals to gather and celebrate clinical trial volunteers (“Medical Heroes”) who participate in clinical research and help advance public health. WCG was the top-tier Olympiad Sponsor of the 5K run/walk, and its generous support helped to make it one of CISCRP’s most successful 5K events to date. There were over 350 runners, walkers, and supporters at the starting line, and participants also had access to health screenings, clinical research information, prizes, food, and giveaways.

The following evening, on Tuesday, June 20th, WCG held a reception, “Discovering New Depths of Clinical Research with WCG,” at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, in honor of CISCRP. The reception was a chance for attendees to explore the museum, enjoy live entertainment, and learn more about both WCG and CISCRP. During the reception, WCG presented CISCRP with a generous donation to support CISCRP’s many patient education and outreach programs and initiatives.

WCG wanted to show its appreciation for clinical trial volunteers through support of the 5K event and the reception. WCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Donald A. Deieso, commented to reception attendees, “Each year, we use this event to honor an organization that is working towards the same goal as all of us in this room – ensuring the safe and effective development of new therapies to promote human health.” He added, “CISCRP’s mission fits in so well with WCG’s new patient recruitment initiatives: the introduction of iConnect and acquisition of ThreeWire. Connecting patients with clinical trials is an essential piece of the puzzle for clinical research success.”

CISCRP’s Founder and Board Chair, Ken Getz, MBA, remarked, “We are honored that WCG chose to recognize CISCRP’s work with this significant donation. We will use this donation to support and grow our patient and public education and outreach programs to raise awareness about clinical research and the important role that clinical trial participation plays in advancing public health.”

CISCRP is fueled by generous supporters and donors like WCG that wish to recognize CISCRP’s work in the area of clinical research education and outreach. CISCRP is thankful to WCG for its support of the 5K event and for the significant follow-up donation.

ABOUT WCG:
WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG) is the world’s leading provider of solutions that measurably improve the quality and efficiency of clinical research. The industry’s first clinical services organization (CSO), WCG enables biopharmaceutical companies, CROs and institutions to accelerate the delivery of new treatments and therapies to patients, while maintaining the highest standards of human subject protections. For more information, please visit http://www.wcgclinical.com or follow us on Twitter @WCGClinical.

CISCRP Supports Lilly’s Hero’s Journey Art Project to Honor Clinical Trial Participants

The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP), an independent non-profit organization dedicated to educating patients and the public about clinical research is excited to announce support of Eli Lilly and Company’s (Lilly) Hero’s Journey Art Project, a series of sculptures created to honor clinical trial participants and raise awareness of clinical research.

Lilly has commissioned artist John Magnan to create The Hero’s Journey. Magnan is a Massachusetts artist who creates unique sculptures addressing health care, social, and environmental issues. For The Hero’s Journey project, Magnan is building a set of crowdsourced sculptures made of 1,000 decorated wooden bricks, submitted by clinical trial participants and community members around the nation.

One of CISCRP’s most important initiatives is the Medical Heroes Campaign, launched to recognize and honor clinical trial volunteers who give the gift of trial participation. CISCRP’s Founder and Board Chair, Ken Getz, comments, “Supporting Lilly’s Hero’s Journey art project is a natural alliance for CISCRP since we have an entire program dedicated to recognizing Medical Heroes – the millions of people who take part in clinical trials each year to help advance public health and medical knowledge. With our support of this project we hope to help raise public awareness of and appreciation for these brave and incredible individuals.”

“Lilly is excited to see the broad research community, particularly patients, honored for their efforts in bringing new medicines to the world,” said Joe Kim, Senior Advisor in Clinical Innovation at Lilly. “Using art to publicly commemorate the clinical trial community is both rare and unexpected. We hope that this art will inspire others to engage with research to improve the well-being of future generations.”

The first sculpture, “Departure” was unveiled on March 10, 2017 at LiveSTRONG Headquarters, in Austin, TX. As completed bricks are returned, additional sculptures will be created and set for unveiling. Follow #herosjourneyart on social media for updates on additional sculpture locations.

Whether you are a trial participant snapping a photo with your completed brick or you simply want to express your thoughts on the clinical trial journey, make sure you use the hashtag #herosjourneyart.

Research Professionals and the Public to Honor Study Volunteers with 5K Run & Walk Event

The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP), an independent non-profit organization is excited to announce the upcoming Medical Heroes Appreciation 5K Run & Walk in Chicago to celebrate the volunteers who give the gift of participation in clinical research and to raise awareness about the importance of clinical research in advancing public health.

CISCRP will host the Medical Heroes Appreciation 5K Run & Walk with the support of the Drug Information Association (DIA), held in conjunction with the DIA’s Annual Meeting. The event will take place on Monday, June 19, 2017 at Burnham Park from 6:30-8:15 a.m. Participants are encouraged to register early as space is limited. To register, visit http://www.medhero5k-chicago2017.eventbrite.com.

“Medical Heroes are the brave men and women who take part in clinical trials in an effort to help advance public health and the future of medicine,” says CISCRP’s Founder and Board Chair, Ken Getz. “The goal of our 5K event is to raise public awareness and appreciation for these individuals and to celebrate and honor them for giving the gift of participation in clinical research.”

Chicago area running and walking enthusiasts, patients, caregivers, clinical research professionals, as well as CISCRP supporters and DIA members, are invited to participate and attend the event. All proceeds from the 5K will support clinical research education and outreach programs for patients and their families in minority and under-served communities. Also this year, The Greater Gift Initiative is teaming up with CISCRP to offer a vaccine to a child in need, on behalf of every registrant.

This event is being sponsored by Champion Sponsors, IBM Watson Health and EMD Serono and Elite Sponsor, Synchrogenix. Other sponsors and supporters of the event are Amicus Therapeutics, Advanced Clinical, Publicis Healthcare, DIA, Starbucks, The Great American Bagel, and Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Lauren O’Donnell, Global Vice President of Life Sciences for IBM Watson Health, a Champion Sponsor of the event, remarks “Our organization is honored to be sponsoring this important Medical Heroes Appreciation event and look forward to seeing patients, researchers, and local community members come together to celebrate the study volunteers who bring hope and promise to the future of medicine and health care.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available and CISCRP is also looking to engage with local community partners for outreach and financial support. Contact ellyngetz@ciscrp.org to speak further about opportunities to collaborate and contribute to this meaningful initiative.

Onsite check-in begins at 6 a.m. and the 5K Run & Walk will begin at 6:30 a.m., following a brief Medical Heroes Recognition Ceremony. For more information about the event, to volunteer, register, or become a sponsor, email ellyngetz@ciscrp.org. Questions about event registration should be addressed to Clarissa Budd via phone, 617-725-2750 x321, e-mail medhero5k@ciscrp.org, or call toll free 1-877-MED-HERO x321.

CISCRP Launches Clinical Trial Volunteer Awareness and Recognition Campaign in USA Today

The nonprofit Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) announces that it is launching a new campaign, The National Clinical Trial Outreach and Awareness Initiative, to reach millions of Americans. Several times each year – beginning with USA Today on May 12th – CISCRP will be producing and distributing educational supplements in major national newspapers designed to inform the public and patients about the clinical research process.

Each supplement will include educational feature articles and messages about the important role that clinical research volunteers play in advancing public health. In this first edition on Clinical Trials, CISCRP has teamed up with several leading organizations including TransCelerate Biopharma Inc., Biogen, Merck, Pfizer Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Segal Institute for Clinical Research, and Praxis to develop the educational and laudatory materials. The USA Today supplement hit newsstands in a number of major cities including Boston, New York, Phoenix, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Los Angeles.

Although an estimated 75,000 clinical trials are conducted each year for severe and debilitating disease conditions, the majority of the public and patients report knowing very little about clinical research and where to go to learn more. CISCRP is launching The National Clinical Trial Outreach and Awareness Initiative to raise the visibility of clinical research, to provide general education, and to elevate the level of public and patient preparedness to navigate the clinical research process. The current supplement is expected to reach more than 20 million people through print and digital channels.

“Clinical trials are the life blood of scientific invention, and the generosity of study volunteers is essential as we work together toward medical breakthroughs that can have a lasting impact on people’s health, well-being, and welfare,” said Andy Lee, Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Trial Operations at Merck Research Laboratories. “Merck salutes the patient volunteers who are helping to push the boundaries of science, and helping ensure better health for society today and for generations to come.”

Recognizing those study volunteers who do participate in clinical trials is essential to spreading awareness about the important role that they play in the clinical research process and in improving public health. Murray Abramson, Vice President of Global Clinical Operations at Biogen, comments “Without patients’ contributions and voice, solving the greatest challenges in medicine and conquering disease would not be possible. Patients, thank you!!!”

Content in this USA Today Supplement on Clinical Trials includes an advertisement thanking and honoring individuals who have given the gift of their participation in clinical trials; a feature story about one young women’s experience in clinical trials; and a headline profile about T.J. Sharpe, a melanoma cancer survivor and clinical trial participant.

Dalvir Gill, PhD, CEO of TransCelerate BioPharma, Inc., noted, “Enhancing the patient experience as they move through their clinical research journey is of utmost importance. That includes facilitating their ability to find and enroll in trials, and supporting their understanding of how a clinical trial works. It also means that the broader industry needs to continue to drive the advancement of innovative solutions that will ease patient burden, and identify efficiencies to make recruitment and participation in clinical research easier. It is only in collaboration with patients that we can advance medical innovation and truly improve the health of people around the world.”

The clinical trials supplement is available on newsstands on May 12th. To view the digital supplement, visit CISCRP’s website.

Be sure to check the CISCRP website frequently for more information on upcoming outreach and awareness campaigns and how you can get involved.

ABOUT CISCRP:
The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to engaging the public and patients as partners in the clinical research process. CISCRP provides free education and outreach to the general public and patient communities. Visit http://www.CISCRP.org for more information or to support CISCRP’s educational initiatives.

Announcing Clinical Trial Volunteer Cheer to Recognize Study Volunteers

The CCTVC_Logoenter for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP), an independent non-profit organization dedicated to educating patients and the public about clinical research, is excited to announce the first ever Clinical Trial Volunteer Cheer, a 5K walk and run event, that will be held on Saturday, April 29 at 9:00 AM at Magnuson Park in Seattle, WA. Participants can walk, run, or participate as a cheerleader. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited. To register, visit medhero5k-seattle2017.eventbrite.com.

The Clinical Trial Volunteer Cheer is a chance for the local Seattle community to celebrate and honor study volunteers who give the gift of participation in clinical research, and to raise awareness about the importance of clinical research in advancing public health. Patients, family members, caregivers, supporters, research professionals, running/walking enthusiasts, and members of the local public are encouraged to participate to show support for clinical trial volunteers. All proceeds will support clinical research education and outreach programs for patients and their families in minority and under-served communities.

Ellyn Getz, Senior Manager of Development & Community Engagement at CISCRP, comments, “Our Clinical Trial Volunteer Cheer is a grass-roots movement to show appreciation for study volunteers who give the gift of participation in clinical research. We invite the local community of Seattle to join us for some healthy exercise, free food, and fun in order to show support for clinical trial volunteers and to help us build educational outreach assistance for patients and their families.”

As part of the event, CISCRP will also offer complimentary health screenings, giveaways, free food, educational resources about clinical research, as well as prizes for best super hero costumes, top fundraisers, and most spirited teams. As an added benefit, The Greater Gift Initiative is teaming up with CISCRP to offer a vaccine to a child in need, on behalf of every registrant. Register as an individual or gather friends and family and create a team.

Check-in will begin at 8:00 AM at Picnic Shelter #2, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. For questions or additional information, contact medheroevents@ciscrp.org or call toll-free 1.877.MED.HERO (1.877.633.4376).

Lace up your sneakers and join CISCRP in celebrating study volunteers who participate in clinical trials and make new medical discoveries possible. To register for the event, visit medhero5k-seattle2017.eventbrite.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available and CISCRP is also looking to engage with local community partners for outreach and financial support. Contact ellyngetz@ciscrp.org to speak further about opportunities to collaborate and contribute to this meaningful initiative.

CISCRP to Collaborate With Local Miami Health and Research Organizations to Educate Public about Clinical Research, Provide Free Health Screenings

The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) announces AWARE for All – Miami, a free bilingual (English and Spanish) event to educate the Miami community about the clinical research process and to connect patients and the public with health and clinical research professionals.

The event will be hosted at the Hyatt Regency Miami on Thursday, October 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. This evening program will offer more than 15 free health screenings – including breast health/risk/self-exams, COPD and memory screenings, flu vaccines and anemia testing, informational exhibits from local healthcare organizations, informative presentations from prominent Miami-based medical professionals and researchers about various health conditions, and local patients involved in clinical research, as well as dinner and raffle prizes. Funding for this event is generously provided by EMD Serono, the Lupus Research Alliance, INC Research, Segal Institute for Clinical Research, Clinical Research of South Florida, Clinical Trials of Florida, LLC (subsidiary of Marquez Clinical), and other local and national health and advocacy organizations.

Two separate and simultaneous presentations will educate attendees in both Spanish and English – exploring a broad range of topics including: why clinical trials are conducted, the risks and benefits of clinical trial participation, and the informed consent process.  Panels of medical research professionals and local clinical trial participants will share their experiences and invite questions and discussion.

“This event is a valuable opportunity for the Miami community – patients, the public, medical and research professionals – to come together to learn about clinical research and the role it is playing in advancing public health and answering questions about disease conditions and evolving treatments,” explained Ken Getz, Founder and Board Chair at CISCRP. “AWARE for All is also an ideal opportunity for patients and the public to personally interact with physicians and nurses actively conducting — and study volunteers who have participated in — clinical research studies throughout the greater Miami area.”

Since 2003, CISCRP has held more than 50 AWARE for All Clinical Research Education Events in cities around the world. The upcoming Miami event will be CISCRP’s second bilingual program.  The first bilingual event was held in Houston, TX and attracted more than 300 community member attendees.

“Even after 18 years of managing clinical trial sites, we have found that there is still a lack of awareness regarding clinical trials in our community. Research centers along with other stakeholders need to work together to find solutions that will address these challenges,” said Bonnie Segal, Co-founder and Vice President of Segal Institute for Clinical Research.  “CISCRP has done an incredible job promoting clinical trial awareness around the country, and we are honored to be one of their trusted partners to educate, help reduce social stigmas and help mitigate trial safety concerns.”

AWARE for All is a free event open to the public; however, advanced registration is strongly encouraged through www.awareforall.org or by calling 1-877-MED-HERO (1-877-633-4376). Para inscribirse en español, marque el 786-417-6115.

ABOUT CISCRP:

The Center for Information and Study (CISCRP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to engaging the public and patients as partners in the clinical research process. CISCRP provides free education and outreach to the general public and to patient communities. Visit www.CISCRP.org for more information and to learn about supporting CISCRP’s educational initiatives.

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Editor’s Note

Community partners include: Alzheimer’s Association, Brain Tumor Society, Bridging Research on Anxiety, Innovations & Neuroscience Group at University of Miami, C.A.R.E. for Crohn’s, ClinEdge, Clinical Research of South Florida, the COPD Foundation, CTSI UMiami, Debbie’s Dream Foundation, JDRF – South Florida Chapter, Diario Las Americas, The I Care I Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation, Clinical Trials of South Florida, The STARR Coalition, Florida Council for Community Mental Health, ALPHA-1 Foundation, JScreen, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Kidney Foundation of Florida, Nova Southeastern, Quintiles, Walgreens, The Segal Institute for Clinical Research, the Lupus Research Alliance, and the University of Miami – Department of Psychology.

INC Research and CISCRP Announce Keynote Speaker for “Inspiring Hope” Ideathon Event to Help Raise Awareness of Clinical Trials

Cancer “Thriver” and Clinical Research Advocate Jameisha Brown to speak about the importance of “Hope” in her keynote address

RALEIGH, N.C., July 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — INC Research Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:INCR), a leading, global Phase I to IV contract research organization, together with the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP), a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging the public and patients as partners in the clinical research process, today announced cancer “thriver” (reflecting her triumph over cancer and striving to live the best life possible following diagnosis) and clinical research advocate Jameisha Brown will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming “Inspiring Hope” Ideathon event being held Sept. 27-28 at District Hall in Boston. Ms. Brown will open the event with her keynote address, “Living Proof of the Power of Clinical Research,” sharing her own personal story of battling cancer, her inspiration for hope and her first-hand experiences as a patient participating in clinical research.

For the last two years, Jameisha “Meisha” Brown, M.S., CHES has been selected as a “Cancer Advocate,” one of the youngest in the history of the American Association for Cancer Research, the oldest, largest and most comprehensive cancer research professional organization. She has had the distinct privilege of sharing her cancer journey, community advocacy and research interests as a nationally-recognized inspirational speaker on numerous platforms and media outlets. Ms. Brown is pursuing a PhD in health education and a certificate in non-profit management at Texas A & M University in College Station, Texas and is a Health Disparities Research Fellow at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. She also serves as the Managing Chief Equipping Officer (CEO) of the Total Temple Transformation (T3) Health & Wellness Ministry at Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. Her research interests include health disparities research — cancer control, HIV/AIDS in the southern U.S. region and racial/ethnic diversity in clinical research participation.

“We are delighted to have Meisha as our keynote speaker,” said Clare Grace, PhD, Vice President, Site and Patient Access, INC Research. “Our goal for the ‘Inspiring Hope’ ideathon is to discover new ways to work together as an industry to raise awareness of clinical trials and encourage participation in clinical research.  I can think of no better person to inspire than Meisha. Her story is an inspiration to many and we look forward to hearing her share her own clinical research experience.”

“The ‘Inspiring Hope’ Ideathon is an exciting approach to gather innovative, new ways to improve clinical research literacy and to raise greater public awareness of clinical trials,” said Ken Getz, CISCRP’s Founder and Board Chair. “We are pleased to feature Jameisha’s story and hope it will inspire creative ideas and novel solutions that address patient and public engagement and education.”

Idea applications for the “Inspiring Hope” Ideathon are being accepted now through Aug. 8, 2016, and will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, sustainability and impact. Submitted applications will be shortlisted and finalists will be invited to the Ideathon event Sept. 27-28 in Boston, where they will collaborate live with a multifunctional team in a crowd-solving-type environment to further develop and ultimately present their solution to an expert judging panel. The 2016 “Inspiring Hope” Award winner will be named at the conclusion of the event and INC Research along with CISCRP will work together with the winning team to progress the chosen idea into a viable solution.

To learn more about participation in the “Inspiring Hope” Ideathon, please visit www.inspiring-hope-ideathon.com or follow us on social media at #ideas4patients.

About CISCRP
The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) is a first-of-its-kind nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and informing the public, patients, medical/research communities, the media, and policy makers about clinical research and the role each party plays in the process. CISCRP provides free education and outreach to the general public and patient communities. Visit www.CISCRP.org for more information or to support CISCRP.

About INC Research
INC Research (Nasdaq:INCR) is a leading global contract research organization (“CRO”) providing the full range of Phase I to Phase IV clinical development services for the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. Leveraging the breadth of our service offerings and the depth of our therapeutic expertise across multiple patient populations, INC Research connects customers, clinical research sites and patients to accelerate the delivery of new medicines to market. The Company was named “Best Contract Research Organization” in December 2015 by an independent panel for Scrip Intelligence, and ranked “Top CRO to Work With” among large global CROs in the 2015 CenterWatch Global Investigative Site Relationship Survey.  INC Research is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, with operations across six continents and experience spanning more than 110 countries. For more information, please visit www.incresearch.comand connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter @inc_research.