Cancer Research: Information from a Patient / Caregiver Perspective |
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 | Founder's Message: A Personal Perspective
At times, you might think that our foundation over-emphasizes the dangers of being involved with a Phase 1 clinical trial. It is not our intention to eradicate last hopes or frighten people away from volunteering for a Phase 1 study. Rather, we offer ‘been there, done that’ information and practical support to people we hold in high esteem – namely, Phase 1 clinical trial volunteers. For Dave, a man of action, it was a great blessing to be given the opportunity to be useful and fully involved in life – even as he approached death. This foundation realizes that medical facilities are over-burdened and that staff can become de-sensitized. People can no longer delegate the care of their health to the 'experts.' You must be pro-active in this area of your life as you must be in other aspects of living - money management, house and car maintenance, etc. Information needs to be gathered; records need to be kept and action taken. Society asks Phase 1 participants to donate their greatest asset – a goodly portion of the last days of their lives- to benefit the greater good of mankind. That ‘ask’ engenders an obligation to provide protection and care. “Research with Respect” is exactly what should be accorded to the brave people who agree to be the first humans to test new cancer treatments. Kindest regards,
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This national charitable foundation, *Bear Ring “U” ‘N Mind* and its main program “Research with Respect” is the direct result of my husband’s involvement in a Phase 1 clinical trial. (See:  |