February 12, 2010

Event set to raise awareness of cancer clinical research trials

Event set to raise awareness of cancer clinical research trials

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center has joined national and local partners to offer Aware for All — Nashville Clinical Research Education Day, on Saturday, Feb. 20.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Scarritt Bennett Center.
During this free event, participants will receive health screenings and information about clinical research programs.

Aware for All is designed to inform Middle Tennessee residents about the important role they can play in clinical research and to celebrate the contributions of clinical research participants.

Attendees will hear from physicians and researchers, as well as local clinical trial participants.

The education day features:
• Free health screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index, cholesterol and HIV infection;
• Clinical research information sessions and exhibits;
• Access to a nationwide database listing of clinical trials; and
• A free lunch

The event is hosted by the Center for Information and Study of Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate the public and health care professionals about clinical trials.

In addition to VICC, participating local organizations include Vanderbilt Research; Meharry Medical College and Nashville General Hospital at Meharry; Saint Thomas Research Institute and Saint Thomas Health Services; Tennessee State University; Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, Sarah Cannon Research Institute and Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation.

Opening presentations will feature Veronica Gunn, M.D., M.P.H., chief medical officer, Tennessee Department of Health, and George Hill, Ph.D., associate dean for Diversity, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

They will join a panel of physicians and patients to help attendees decide whether participating in clinical research is right for them.

To learn more or to register, go to www.ciscrp.org/patient/aware/nashville.html.