Clinical Trials Awareness Day

[Guest guest]

From the Boston Herald

Life-saving tales prompt clinical trials awareness day

By Heslam

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Ken Garabadian is battling an aggressive cancer.

A few years ago, his doctor told him he was going to die. Another

doctor at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute told him ``we'll see about that''

and got him into a clinical trial for the cancer drug Gleevec.

He says it saved his life.

``If I had not gone on Gleevec, I would have passed away,'' the

Bellingham grandfather said.

Every year, 27,000 Bay Staters take part in clinical trials, according

to the Boston-based Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research

Participation. The state receives $250 million in federal money each year -

the 12th highest in the country - for drug trials.

The nonprofit organization is sponsoring a first-ever event, ``Aware

for All,'' to provide information on clinical research and to honor those

who participate.

``We're one of the most active states in terms of clinical research

activity,'' said CISCRP President Roni Thaler, who said the organization

supports ``informed participation.''

``Clinical trials are not for everyone,'' she added.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Northeastern

University's Curry Student Center. Featured speakers include Dr. Bernard

Schwetz, director of the U.S. Office for Human Research Protection.