Nothing should stand between you and your care.
We want every blood cancer patient to benefit from the latest advances in treatment. Clinical trials are avenues to world-class care and might be the best treatment option for you. But we realize you may have concerns about travel, costs, and other issues. In addition, cultural differences, language barriers, and fear and distrust of the medical system may be on your mind. We’re here to help you navigate clinical trials so that you, your family, and your community are part of the quest for cures.
Breaking down clinical trial myths and misperceptions
Myth vs. fact
FACT: Clinical trials are carefully designed research studies that put the health and safety of patients first. Before you agree to participate, you’ll be taken through the informed consent process. You’ll be able to gather information and ask questions. You have the right to have the consent thoroughly explained to you if you don’t understand something. Participation in a clinical trial is always up to you, and you can leave the study at any time.
FACT: Clinical trials are for patients at all stages of their disease and treatment. By taking part, you’ll join a team of doctors and patients who share your desire to improve cancer treatment now and in the future. Treatment decisions are very personal, so make sure to discuss your options with your doctor.
FACT: Many people are concerned about getting a placebo (an inactive pill, liquid, or powder). The vast majority of cancer clinical trials do not use a placebo unless given along with an active drug. If a trial uses a placebo, you will be made aware through informed consent before enrolling.
FACT: Talk to your doctor about what joining a clinical trial means for you and your loved ones. Levels of participation vary trial by trial. Some trials may require frequent trips to the hospital, and you might need childcare or time off from work. No matter what care you choose, Blood Cancer United is here to provide support for you and your family.
(Remember, always consult with your doctor about your treatment options.)
Knowledge is power.
Curing blood cancers needs you.
Blood Cancer United is setting out to improve access to clinical trials for underrepresented patients, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), Hispanic, Latinx, and people from rural communities. Our Blood Cancer United IMPACT* Research Grants award funding to six major cancer centers to partner with community-based hospitals and clinics on creating networks of clinical trial sites in their regions.
IMPACT at the MD Ancerson Cancer Center
“The Clinical Trial Network of South Texas will expand access to high quality clinical trials for under-represented minority patients receiving care at the UT San Antonio Mays Cancer Center and community oncology centers leveraging the existing partnership between MD Anderson Cancer Center and its robust clinical trial infrastructure. The initial focus is on community centers in South TX, which have higher numbers of Hispanic and African American patients in rural and urban counties that experience disparities in the incidence of lymphoid cancers, access to clinical trials, and survival.
IMPACT at Emory University
Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute is Georgia's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Despite Atlanta's continued growth, 75% of Georgia's 159 counties are rural, and are economically disadvantaged. These counties are often located at a significant distance from Atlanta, making travel for clinical trial participation a challenge. This IMPACT program will facilitate collaboration across treatment sites throughout Georgia to ensure blood cancer patients of all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds, regardless of their location, have access to innovative clinical trials. Blood cancer patients will also have opportunities to connect with experts at Winship Cancer Institute via telemedicine to discuss their disease, potential treatment options and available clinical trials.
IMPACT at City of Hope
The City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center main campus in Duarte, CA has a catchment area of 9,365 square miles, including Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties serving a multi-racial, multi-ethnic community of 17 million people. To provide better access to state-of-the-art cancer care to all, COH has established numerous Community and Affiliate Network (CAN) sites that will serve geographically proximal practice sites, which will refer patients for treatment on clinical trials at either the CAN site or at the Duarte campus.
IMPACT at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center has partnered with the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network and Mayo Clinic Health System to expand clinical trial enrollment among blood cancer patients served at community cancer centers, with a focus on those generally underrepresented in trials. This project includes a network of 35 clinical sites throughout rural, underserved communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, as well as metropolitan Minneapolis.
IMPACT at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Working with the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network (VHAN) and Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation (BMHCC), this IMPACT program reaches the rural South. Among the areas served are half of the counties and parishes in the Delta Regional Authority, which has some of the highest cancer rates in the U.S. The program will increase access, with the option to enroll in 10 clinical trials across seven blood cancer types that will be open at nine Baptist locations around the region.
IMPACT at Weill Cornell Medicine
More than half of the annual blood cancer cases in New York City are among residents of Queens and Brooklyn. Direct access to clinical trials is limited at community hospitals in these boroughs. This IMPACT project, also supported by Genentech, is working with New York-Presbyterian Queens and New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital to increase enrollment at these sites. The program will provide education and training for community physicians and oncologists.
Your clinical trial participation can help you, your loved ones, and your community. Contact Blood Cancer United Information Specialists: Call (800) 955-4572 or learn more.
*Influential Medicine Providing Access to Clinical Trials (IMPACT)
The choice to join a clinical trial is yours.
But you don’t have to decide alone. Blood Cancer United is here to help with the free resources and support you and your loved ones may need.
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Thank you
We thank our incredible supporters for making the Blood Cancer United IMPACT Research Grants program possible.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Cal Turner, Jr.
Edward J. Phillips Family Foundation
Eli Lilly and Company
Louise and John Bryan
Mayo Clinic
MorphoSys Foundation
Rahr Corporation
Royalty Pharma
Vanderbilt
Weill Cornell Medicine
