Fw: Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance Fact Sheet (Another JRA article)

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From: thep115

Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance Fact Sheet

Established in 2001, the Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance

(CARRA) is a national organization of pediatric rheumatologists who have joined

together to answer critical clinical research questions. They are committed to

advancing the health and quality of life of children living with rheumatic

disease and arthritis.

What

CARRA is building a multi-center network of pediatric rheumatology research

centers across North America that will work together on investigations. The

advantage of such collaboration is that it increases the number of children who

participate in studies and reduces the time it takes researchers to reach

valuable conclusions. By creating, sharing, and conserving a unified

infrastructure, the Alliance assures that investments in pediatric rheumatology

research are used efficiently and for the highest priority health issues.

Why

CARRA members will work together to conduct efficient, results-oriented

clinical research and treatment trials. Their one goal is to improve the health

and health outcomes of children who live with rheumatic diseases. Sharing

patient data and a unified infrastructure, the Alliance will provide an

accessible point of entry for patients and families across the United States and

Canada to participate in research studies and trials of new therapies.

Who

More than three-quarters of North America's pediatric rheumatologists are

represented in CARRA. The Alliance is currently led by a committee with members

from eight medical centers in the United States and Canada. The office located

at Stanford University. CARRA has received generous financial support from the

Wasie Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, American College of Rheumatology, Lucile

Packard Foundation for Children's Health, Barr Laboratories and Pfizer,

Incorporated.

How

CARRA's leaders have a five-year strategic plan for developing the Alliance into

a sustainable, effective national research network. The plan addresses funding,

protocol development, and the performance of basic, translational, and clinical

research.

2002 Select network sites by national competition

Launch fund-raising campaign

2003 Identify technical and clinical resources across North America

Initiate flagship research projects

2004 Develop and perform new research studies and clinical trials

2005 Begin publishing results of network studies

2006 Full network functioning, including:

Research protocol development

Communication of results to larger community