Real Talk from Participants

“We will only get new drugs if people volunteer,” says Betsy Barber, of Tampa, Florida. That’s among the many reasons she as participated in eight clinical trials since her diagnosis 12 years ago.

With a son as a surgeon and a daughter-in-law as a drug rep, Al Charles’ family understands the need for increased participation in clinical trials—especially among newly diagnosed patients.

Sharon Rybicki of Sarasota, FL, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1998. Only 43 years old at the time, she was devastated by the news. Here is part of her story.

For many, the decision to participate in genetic research is not a trivial one. But for Gary Schmitz, he didn’t think twice. “For me,” he says, “the question was why wouldn’t you want to contribute?”

New Team Fox member Steve Gorny has always been an endurance runner. His resume includes 17 marathons, one 50K run (31 miles), a 100 miler and a Tough Mudder (extremely hard obstacle course run).

Neville Munro was a basketball Olympian, a successful lawyer, published author, financial adviser and member of UBC’s Athletics Hall of Fame. He also lived with Parkinson’s disease for 16 years.