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The result has been a community movement to drive collective power among Black women to take their health into their own hands. Additionally, the Innovation Fund has given TOUCH the time and space to raise nearly $2 million in additional funding, secure seats on influential clinical trial working groups and advise major pharmaceutical companies on effective clinical trial communications.
We asked TOUCH co-founder, CEO and breast cancer survivor Ricki Fairley to share her experience of leading this paradigm-shifting movement to eradicate Black breast cancer and support patients, whom she calls her “Breasties,” through their cancer experience.
What kind of impact is your work having so far?
We’re changing minds and changing behavior. People had the wrong impression of what a clinical trial is. When we break it down into words they can spell from the voice of a Breastie, they get it and they want to enroll. People thought trials were a last resort, but now we’re getting people who are early stage who want to join.
What are some of the barriers to enrolling Black women in cancer studies?
The biggest barriers are, number one, they aren’t asked to participate and number two, there is fear of getting a sugar pill – it’s fear of the unknown.
Looking ahead, what excites you most?
I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am – Genentech made my dream come to life and it’s working. We can’t stop now. It’s like a snowball – the more people we get involved, the more people we’ll save.
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