The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ (CDMRP), Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) consumer advocate Charlotte Davis recently participated in the evaluation of research applications submitted to the BCRP. Charlotte was nominated for participation in the program by Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation. As a consumer reviewer, she was a full voting member, (along with prominent scientists) at meetings to help determine how the $150 million appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2021 will be spent on breast cancer research.
Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of patients by preparing comments on the impact of the research on issues such as diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. When commenting on serving as a consumer reviewer, Charlotte said that she was ecstatic and delighted to serve as a consumer reviewer with such prominent research scientists. As a survivor and breast cancer advocate, having a voice to help determine how the $150 million appropriated funds by Congress for the Fisical Year 2021 will be spent will impact breast cancer diagnosis and treatments. Still, it will also make a difference in a patient's quality of care and finding a cure to end breast cancer altogether. To all patients who are fighting this horrible disease call cancer, we will find a cure. In the meantime, stay in the fight because a change is coming.
Consumer advocates and scientists have worked together in this unique partnership to evaluate the merit of research applications since FY92. COL Sarah B. Goldman, Director of the CDMRP, expressed her appreciation for the consumer advocates’ hard work. “Integrating consumer perspectives into our decision-making process brings energy and focus to our research programs. Patients, caregivers, family members, and advocates help us keep our efforts centered around what is truly important to those impacted. We very much value this critical input from our consumers who help ensure that CDMRP’s work remains critical and relevant,” she said.
Researchers applying to the BCRP propose to end breast cancer for Service members, Veterans, and the general public by funding innovative, high-impact research through a partnership of scientists and consumers. The BCRP fills important gaps by supporting groundbreaking research while encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.
More information about the CDMRP’s BCRP is available at the website: https://cdmrp.army.mil/bcrp/default.