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NIHR salutes TrialBlazers in the West Midlands in new research campaign

People in the West Midlands are being urged in a new campaign to take part in research which could one day save lives.

To mark International Clinical Trials Day today (20 May), 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 the people of the West Midlands and beyond.

Professor Matthew Brookes, Clinical Director of the CRN West Midlands has recorded a video to thank all the TrialBlazers who make research happen in the region.

New figures also released today reveal that 106,194 participants in 805 separate studies across the West Midlands volunteered to take part in clinical research trials in 2021/22 - significantly up on the five year average of 80,000.

The NIHR is also calling on people across the West Midlands to add to that number and be a TrialBlazer, helping to 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 - in the region 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.

TrialBlazer Martin, aged 53 , from Staffordshire, took part in a haemophilia trial as he wanted to help other people with the condition. Read about his experiences here.

Martin said: “I’ve always said that if I can take part in research I will. It helps to get valuable data and it’s a way of helping future generations”.

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.

ENDS


For further information, including more localised figures, contact: Claire Hall, Communications Lead on 07775 800227.
claireanne.hall@nihr.ac.uk