A recent article in Yahoo! Health interviewed two clinical trial participants about their experience volunteering for research. Though neither participated in a Parkinson's trial, their experiences as patients and as volunteers are relatable. Read some excerpts below, and see the full article to learn more about what it's like to participate. 

The advancement of drug therapies into potential medical breakthroughs requires clinical trials on patients before receiving government approval. From start to finish, most drugs take more than a decade to develop through rigorous clinical trials to confirm the safety and efficacy of the drug. For [many patients], volunteering for clinical trials carries hope that outweighs any potential risks. 

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[T]he physician’s job is primarily to ensure patient safety rather than integrity of the trial. In fact, the No. 1 priority of all parties responsible for conducting any clinical trial is subject safety...Above all else, research must be safe and voluntary. 

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Some people enter clinical trials because they have no other means of affording costly biologic treatments. “I could probably afford them if I needed to, but that’s not why I do it; for me it’s not financial,” Franklin says. “This helps people. By doing this, I can help people in the future in my own small way, and I just like to be a part of that.” 

Interested in participating in PD clinical trials but don't know where to start? Learn more on our clinical trials hub or sign up today for Fox Trial Finder.