Last summer, Earlean Ross was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at just 57 years old. Her doctors in Mississippi gave her a grim prognosis, telling Earlean she likely wouldn’t survive the necessary chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “They told me I might as well enter hospice care,” she said.
Clinical trials are research studies that explore new and improved ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat diseases, including cancer. Mary Bird Perkins is proud to offer patients access to a wide variety of national, regional and investigator-led clinical trials.
Every patient at Mary Bird Perkins is reviewed for eligibility in available clinical trials. Those who qualify receive the same exceptional standard of care, with the potential added benefit of participating in leading-edge research.
Earlean was willing to try anything to help treat her cancer. The ability of Mary Bird Perkins to offer clinical trials, with their new and innovative treatments, offered her a new ray of hope.
Mary Bird Perkins recently launched an awareness campaign about the importance of minority representation in clinical research. Earlean served on a focus group for the campaign, sharing her story and providing insight into how Mary Bird Perkins can better reach populations who are often underrepresented.
For more information about clinical trials, visit marybird.org/research, email clinicalresearch@marybird.com or call (225) 215-1370.