NIHR salutes TrialBlazers in the East Midlands in new campaign to take part in health and care research
More than 75,000 participants across the East Midlands volunteered to take part in clinical research trials in 2021/22, new figures reveal as people in the region are urged in a new campaign to take part in research which could one day save lives.
To coincide with International Clinical Trials Day today (May 20th), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has launched TrialBlazers - a campaign that recognises the life-changing contribution already made to health and care research by people in the East Midlands.
The NIHR is also calling on people to be a TrialBlazer and help save even more lives by taking part in research trials in their local area. There are clinical research trials on everything from COVID-19 to cancer and diabetes across the East Midlands in need of volunteers right now.
The treatment and support those living with a disease or a health condition receive to help manage their illness or keep them alive is made possible by research. Anyone of any age can join the TrialBlazers and learn more about a condition which may affect them or loved ones, or to simply support health and care research.
Elizabeth Moss, Chief Operating Officer at NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) East Midlands said:
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part in research in the East Midlands. Recent years have highlighted the vital role that research plays, and the determination of people to support studies that can transform lives inspires the research community on a daily basis.
“There are studies taking place in every corner of the East Midlands into a wide range of conditions, all in need of research volunteers. We hope that International Clinical Trials Day will inspire people to reflect on the importance of research, and commit to joining the tens of thousands of TrialBlazers across our region and be part of research.”
Anthony Locke, a Research Champion from the East Midlands, said:
“It is good to take part in research because it is essential for the scientific basis for diagnosis and treatment. It translates into medical practice, and gives insight into your condition and others.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said:
“The UK is a world-leader in ground-breaking research. I’m determined to continue building on this innovation to transform our health service and ensure the NHS is able to deliver world-class care for patients.
“I am proud and grateful to every single person, who has taken part in research so far, particularly during the pandemic. Clinical research has been vital in our fight against Covid. It has saved hundreds of thousands of lives in the UK and around the world – whether through the rapid creation of vaccines or the identification of life-saving treatments like dexamethasone – and I encourage everyone to look at what role they can play in the future of health research."
How to get involved
Members of the public can support medical research for a particular condition or disease that they care about, access new treatments or learn more about a condition that affects them. They can volunteer for a trial by visiting www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/trialblazers and searching by location or condition.
