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Demystifying Clinical Trials: How and Where to Get Involved

Demystifying Clinical Trials: How and Where to Get Involved

Are you interested in participating in Parkinson’s disease research but don’t know where to start? Have you considered volunteering for a clinical trial but don’t understand the process or where to enroll?

You’re not alone! Many people have questions about clinical trial participation. Study volunteers are key to furthering PD research, but it’s important for participants to be informed before they get involved.

On April 30, The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) hosted the Boston Clinical Trials Fair to bring local Parkinson’s patients and their loved ones face-to-face with research studies recruiting volunteers in the Massachusetts area.

Representatives from five local research institutions spent the day speaking with attendees about 21 trials currently looking for volunteers. The fair also featured two panels of local researchers and clinical trial participants. Panelists explored the research participation process, and attendees had the opportunity to ask questions.

Attendees spoke to MJFF about their interest in clinical trial participation.  

 “I’ve already been in one trial, and I may join another after today. I found out about the fair at 8:45 a.m. this morning and I still came because I believe in clinical trial participation.”

Person with Parkinson’s

“I haven’t participated in a trial yet, but I use Fox Trial Finder and I’m thinking about it. I’ve felt nervous about participating in the past, but it’s been nice to talk to the researchers in person and get more information. The fair is very informative.”

Person with Parkinson’s

 “I wanted to keep active after I retired. I’d worked in the health care field for many years and my late husband had Parkinson’s, so I thought, “Become a control in Parkinson’s clinical trials!” I submitted my resignation that day. I’ve participated in at least 25 trials since.”

Caregiver to a loved one with Parkinson’s

“I’m recently diagnosed and I’m learning that everyone with this disease experiences different symptoms. I came to the fair today because I wanted to be better informed about Parkinson’s.”

Person with Parkinson’s

Visit our website for a full list of the trials on display at the Boston fair.

MJFF will host the next clinical trials fair in Chicago on Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT.

If you’d like to participate in research but can’t make it to a fair, speak to your doctor about your interest and any concerns you may have. And visit Fox Trial Finder, MJFF’s online tool that matches participants, with and without PD, with research studies in their area.   

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