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                    Personal Stories: Hope from NIDDK Clinical Research

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        Clinical Trials
        Personal Stories: Hope from NIDDK Clinical Research
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        Mikayla: Contributing to Research Leading to the First Preventive Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
                Angelica: Contributing to Research on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
                Lauryn: Advancing Research on Artificial Pancreas Devices for Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
                Kathrine: Contributing to Research on Type 2 Diabetes in Youth
                Jenae & Katelyn: Making Extraordinary Contributions to Type 1 Diabetes Prevention Research
                Dianna: Advancing Research to Improve the Health of People With Pancreatitis
                Ben: Advancing Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Children
                Brittney & Holly: Helping People Hydrate To Prevent Kidney Stones
                Dave & Leroy: Providing HOPE for a Better Way To Manage Dialysis Pain
                Jessi: Coordinating Research on New Treatment for Alagille Syndrome, a Rare Childhood Liver DisorderPersonal Stories: Hope from NIDDK Clinical Research
People participate in clinical research for many reasons: to help others, to have the opportunity to try a new treatment or prevention strategy, to have the additional care provided by research staff, and to advance scientific progress. Many people also raise awareness of the value of clinical research and promote it in other ways. Clinical research is improving people’s lives today and offers hope for the future. Learn more about clinical trial basics, the importance of participating in clinical trials,  and how to find a clinical trial.
View personal stories below, organized by condition:        Diabetes
Mike (left) and his two brothers participate in the NIDDK-supported RADIANT study
    Mike: Advancing Research Toward Understanding Rare and Atypical Types of Diabetes
        “I can help the future of science and hopefully be able to learn something about myself,” says Mike, speaking about his participation in NIDDK’s Rare and Atypical Diabetes Network (RADIANT).
Read Mike’s Story
Photo of Mikayla
    Mikayla: Contributing to Research Leading to the First Preventive Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
        Mikayla, who has participated in the TrialNet clinical trial of teplizumab, says the FDA approval of this drug “means that people can at least prolong not having to take insulin, not having to check blood sugar.... I’m very happy about that.”
Read Mikayla’s Story
Photo of Angelica.
    Angelica: Contributing to Research on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
        “It was so rewarding knowing I was doing this to protect the health of my baby,” says Angelica, speaking about her participation in the GO MOMs study.
Read Angelica’s Story
Photo of Lauryn.
    Lauryn: Advancing Research on Artificial Pancreas Devices for Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
        “It was probably one of the best things that has happened.... It introduced me to an easier life,” says Lauryn, talking about how participating in a Bionic Pancreas clinical trial showed her a less burdensome approach to managing her type 1 diabetes.
Read Lauryn’s Story
Kathrine: Contributing to Research on Type 2 Diabetes in Youth
        Reflecting upon her experience in the TODAY trial, Kathrine expresses extreme gratitude: “TODAY didn’t complete me.  It complemented me.  It gave me the tools to be a better me.”
Read Kathrine’s Story
Jenae and Katelyn's Family Photo
    Jenae and Katelyn: Making Extraordinary Contributions to Type 1 Diabetes Prevention Research
        Regarding participating in the TEDDY clinical study, Jenae’s advice to others is not to be afraid to take on things like this.  "The work is worth it.... It’s empowering.”
Read Jenae and Katelyn’s Story
        Digestive Diseases
Photo of Dianna
    Dianna: Advancing Research to Improve the Health of People With Pancreatitis
        Says Dianna about the PROCEED study, which aims to better understand pancreatitis: “I feel like it’s a two-way thing. If something can be learned from me, maybe it’ll turn around and benefit me as well.”
Read Dianna’s Story
Ben's family photo
    Ben:  Advancing Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Children
        Ben, a participant in the PROTECT study of ulcerative colitis treatment, recommends that others participate in research studies if they have the opportunity.  "I feel that by participating, you are helping with research that could really benefit others in the future," he says.
Read Ben’s Story
        Kidney Disease
Photo of Deryl and Tanya
    Deryl and Tanya: Contributing to Research Toward Achieving Equity in African American Kidney Transplant Outcomes
        When **Tanya** learned of her cousin Deryl’s need for a kidney, she says, “I think that it was just kind of a no-brainer for me to say, ‘Oh, OK, well I’ll get tested.’”  Speaking about his decision to enroll in the APOL1 Long-term Kidney Transplantation Outcomes Network (APOLLO), **Deryl** recalls thinking, “Maybe I can help someone else. Maybe someone else with kidney disease."
Read Deryl and Tanya’s Stories
Dave and Leroy: Providing HOPE for a Better Way To Manage Dialysis Pain
        **Dave**, who serves as a Patient Advisor on the HOPE study team, speaks about how the HOPE study has prioritized including the patient perspective in all its activities: “The HOPE trial exceeded my expectations.... And my expectations were high.”  When **Leroy**, a HOPE study participant, is asked if he would encourage other people to participate in clinical research studies like HOPE, he responds: “Oh, definitely. I would give [the study] an A plus.”
Dave and Leroy’s Stories
        Liver Disease
Photo of Jessi.
    Jessi: Coordinating Research on New Treatment for Alagille Syndrome, a Rare Childhood Liver Disorder
        Jessi’s motivation for being involved in clinical research studies is clear: “We’re really concerned about the lives of these children and ways to improve them—that’s such a gratifying mission to stand behind.”
Read Jessi’s Story
        Urologic Diseases
Brittney and Holly: Helping People Hydrate To Prevent Kidney Stones
        **Brittney**, a study coordinator working with kids and parents in the Prevention of Urinary Stones with Hydration (PUSH) clinical trial, says she constantly sought out ways “to prevent having any barriers or burdens ... on the parents as much as possible.”  Another PUSH study coordinator, **Holly**, says “Being a prevention study, we want it to be a positive experience for them.”
Read Brittney and Holly’s Stories

Learn how to find a clinical trial.        Last Reviewed January 2024
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