In the spring of 2007, Coastal Carolina Research Center went through an extensive exercise to update our logo. At the end of this 3 week process, it became clear that the essence of who we are could be summed up in one simple image:

If you can’t quite figure out what this image represents just think back to when you were a child in school and your teacher asked for volunteers at the chalkboard. How did you demonstrate your willingness to volunteer? You would simply “raise your hand”.

To volunteer according to Webster’s dictionary is “a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service.” At first thought most people probably don’t think participating in a clinical research trial is a service.

At Coastal Carolina Research Center, we can’t stress enough how volunteering for a clinical trial is “in fact” a community service. Why is that? Clinical research is a fundamental process that is necessary to bring safe and effective new drugs to the market for public use. Every medication that is used today in the United States has had to go through this process.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of all American’s (55%) are taking prescription medicines at the present time. A much greater percentage of people routinely take over-the-counter medication. If you don’t take any medications it seems likely that you know someone such as your spouse, parent, child or friend that does.

People who volunteer for clinical trials are ordinary people with busy lives, however with a simple gesture of “raising their hand” (volunteering) they are giving back to the community and contributing their time and effort to help all of us. At the end of the study, most agree that the experience was a good one and they feel good about themselves.

Volunteering for a clinical trial may not be appropriate for everyone however everyone should applaud those who do “step forward” and are a part of this process to test new medicines.

Volunteers make a difference!!!