An evolving discussion: ‘Clinical trial awareness cannot happen without all of us’

Greater Gift is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring clinical research patient volunteers and research professionals. The organization last year launched​ the PopUp Star competition to help raise clinical trial awareness​.

The competition has resulted in events that were a part of a food truck festival and game show, helping drive discussion at a community level and on social media, said Greater Gift Executive Director Amanda Wright.

“Not that long ago, awareness was driven by traditional advertising means such as newspaper, TV, and radio. The industry has seen quite the shift, but an important and positive one," ​she told us.

Greater Gift’s goal is to cultivate creativity, action, and innovative ideas, such as PopUp Star, said Wright. “We know PopUp Star is not the only answer, but if we can ignite an idea or offer a platform to test a team’s theory, then we are making a difference,”​ she added.

“This conversation is one that will continuously evolve as we work to identify effective mechanisms of connecting the importance of clinical research to our friends, family, and neighbors, and together we create a paradigm shift in awareness and participation as a result of these innovative ideas,”​ said Wright.

“Clinical trial awareness cannot happen without all of us,”​ said Wright, which is why the organization partnered ACRP to further advance its PopUp Star competition.

“PopUp Star was created as a unique mechanism that brings multiple stakeholders together to uncover new insights and find effective paths forward for grassroots adoption of clinical research as a care option in diverse communities,”​ Wright explained.

PopUp Star this year has twelve teams participating in the competition, with events to be held across the US and in Australia.

The teams will be announced during the opening session on April 13^th​ at the 2019 ACRP conference and on the PopUp Star Facebook​ page.