DaVita Clinical Research "Inspired to Give" Campaign Highlights Altruistic Nature of Participants - Release

DaVita Clinical Research® (DCR®) launched its “Inspired to Give” campaign, which shares stories from the people behind clinical research.

The campaign kicked off Nov. 12 and will run through February 2014. The series will include 18 videos featuring both clinical trial participants and researchers sharing their personal experiences with clinical research. Full-length videos are hosted on YouTube with 15-second versions available for viewing on Instagram. The series can be viewed online at youtube.com/DaVitaClinResearch, and on DCR’s Instagram page by following @DaVitaResearch and hashtag #InspiredtoGive.

The campaign asks individuals to share what inspires them to give to the medical community and humankind through participation in clinical trials. In an effort to improve the quality of life for patients, DCR seizes the opportunity to create a grassroots movement of humanizing and honoring clinical research.

“We find that the driving force for most who participate in clinical trials is that they have someone close to them who has a disease or illness and they want to help that person,” said DCR Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Harry Alcorn. “And in additional to being altruistic, trial participants ultimately play a key role in the future of health care by helping to develop medicine for others.”

DCR recognizes the importance to raise awareness and bring a sense of pride to those who choose to participate in clinical trials. Without the vital participation of everyday people, new therapies could not be developed.

“The medicine I take for my kidney disease was developed in part by people just like me through clinical trials,” said Cynthia Harvey, who has end stage renal failure and has been involved with DCR for seven years as a clinical trial participant. “It’s very important for myself and others to participate because research helps give knowledge. The staff makes you feel confident, they make you feel loved, and they make you feel like you’re a person, not just a subject.”

DCR continues to expand its capabilities in and commitment to early clinical research. Since opening a second hospital-based research site in Lakewood, Colo., in 2012, DCR has launched a new website aimed at sponsors of clinical research. The site will include a video tour of DCR’s Phase I facilities along with information about their late-stage research, biorepository, health economics, data and medical communications services. To view the new site, visit davitaclinicalresearch.com.

To learn about current DCR clinical trials and how to enroll in a clinical trial, visit participatedavita.com.